↑
๐ Content updated on 28 April 2026
๐ฌ Idioms & Phrases – Expressions that paint pictures with words
An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of each word. For example, "break the ice" means to start a conversation, not to smash frozen water. Learning idioms makes your language colourful and helps you understand everyday English much better.
๐ง๐ซ How to use this sheet: Read the sentence or the idiom and decide what it really means or which idiom fits the blank. Then tap "Show Answer" to see the meaning, a short explanation, and another example.
An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of each word. For example, "break the ice" means to start a conversation, not to smash frozen water. Learning idioms makes your language colourful and helps you understand everyday English much better.
๐ง๐ซ How to use this sheet: Read the sentence or the idiom and decide what it really means or which idiom fits the blank. Then tap "Show Answer" to see the meaning, a short explanation, and another example.
In this worksheet:
(Click any topic to jump straight to that section)
Idioms are a huge part of natural English. For a deeper list and usage tips, the
Idioms and Phrases
guide is a great companion. Hindi speakers can compare with similar expressions at the
Muhavre Hub
and the
Lokoktiyan Hub.
And when you want to practise further, try the
Idioms and Phrases worksheet
collection.
✅ Solved Examples (20 Questions with Answers)
Let's explore some common English idioms and their actual meanings.
Solved Q.1
"She spilled the beans about the surprise party." What does the idiom mean?
Show Answer
Answer: Revealed a secret or confidential information.
Explanation: 'Spill the beans' means to disclose something that was meant to be kept hidden. It has nothing to do with actual beans — it's a picture of letting something slip out.
Example: Don't spill the beans about the gift; it's supposed to be a surprise.
Explanation: 'Spill the beans' means to disclose something that was meant to be kept hidden. It has nothing to do with actual beans — it's a picture of letting something slip out.
Example: Don't spill the beans about the gift; it's supposed to be a surprise.
Solved Q.2
"It's raining cats and dogs outside." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Raining very heavily.
Explanation: This colourful idiom describes extremely heavy rainfall. No animals are involved — it's just an old, vivid way to say the rain is pouring.
Example: We stayed indoors because it was raining cats and dogs.
Explanation: This colourful idiom describes extremely heavy rainfall. No animals are involved — it's just an old, vivid way to say the rain is pouring.
Example: We stayed indoors because it was raining cats and dogs.
Solved Q.3
"The test was a piece of cake." What does "piece of cake" mean?
Show Answer
Answer: Very easy to do.
Explanation: Just as eating a piece of cake is simple and enjoyable, this idiom describes a task that requires no real effort.
Example: The maths sums were a piece of cake for her.
Explanation: Just as eating a piece of cake is simple and enjoyable, this idiom describes a task that requires no real effort.
Example: The maths sums were a piece of cake for her.
Solved Q.4
"He was feeling under the weather, so he stayed home." Meaning of 'under the weather'?
Show Answer
Answer: Slightly unwell or sick.
Explanation: This idiom compares feeling ill to being affected by bad weather. It's a gentle way to say someone is not feeling their best.
Example: I'm a bit under the weather today, so I'll rest.
Explanation: This idiom compares feeling ill to being affected by bad weather. It's a gentle way to say someone is not feeling their best.
Example: I'm a bit under the weather today, so I'll rest.
Solved Q.5
"Why are you so quiet? Cat got your tongue?" What does this mean?
Show Answer
Answer: A playful way to ask someone why they are not speaking.
Explanation: Used when someone is unusually silent, often in a situation where they are expected to talk. It's silly and light-hearted.
Example: You haven't said a word all evening — cat got your tongue?
Explanation: Used when someone is unusually silent, often in a situation where they are expected to talk. It's silly and light-hearted.
Example: You haven't said a word all evening — cat got your tongue?
Solved Q.6
"Let's strike while the iron is hot." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Take advantage of a favourable opportunity immediately.
Example: The prices are low now; let's strike while the iron is hot and buy.
Example: The prices are low now; let's strike while the iron is hot and buy.
Solved Q.7
"She goes the extra mile for her students." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Makes more effort than is expected.
Example: He goes the extra mile to keep his customers happy.
Example: He goes the extra mile to keep his customers happy.
Solved Q.8
"Don't judge a book by its cover." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Don't form an opinion based only on appearance.
Example: The car looks old, but it runs perfectly — don't judge a book by its cover.
Example: The car looks old, but it runs perfectly — don't judge a book by its cover.
Solved Q.9
"The new dancer stole the show." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Got most of the attention and praise.
Example: The little boy in the play stole the show.
Example: The little boy in the play stole the show.
Solved Q.10
"I'm on cloud nine after hearing the news." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Extremely happy and elated.
Example: She was on cloud nine when she won the prize.
Example: She was on cloud nine when she won the prize.
Solved Q.11
"He turned a deaf ear to my advice." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Ignored or refused to listen.
Example: She turned a deaf ear to the warnings.
Example: She turned a deaf ear to the warnings.
Solved Q.12
"They buried the hatchet and became friends again." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Made peace and ended a quarrel.
Example: After years of fighting, the two brothers buried the hatchet.
Example: After years of fighting, the two brothers buried the hatchet.
Solved Q.13
"That's a blessing in disguise." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Something that seems bad at first but turns out to be good.
Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise — I found a better one.
Example: Losing that job was a blessing in disguise — I found a better one.
Solved Q.14
"We see eye to eye on this matter." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Agree completely.
Example: The two leaders see eye to eye on trade.
Example: The two leaders see eye to eye on trade.
Solved Q.15
"It costs an arm and a leg." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Very expensive.
Example: That watch costs an arm and a leg.
Example: That watch costs an arm and a leg.
Solved Q.16
"He hit the sack early last night." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Went to bed.
Example: I'm tired; I'll hit the sack now.
Example: I'm tired; I'll hit the sack now.
Solved Q.17
"Don't add fuel to the fire." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Don't make a bad situation worse.
Example: Arguing with her will only add fuel to the fire.
Example: Arguing with her will only add fuel to the fire.
Solved Q.18
"The project is on the back burner for now." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Temporarily set aside; not being actively worked on.
Example: I've put that plan on the back burner until exams are over.
Example: I've put that plan on the back burner until exams are over.
Solved Q.19
"He passed the test with flying colours." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Passed with very high marks or great success.
Example: She cleared the interview with flying colours.
Example: She cleared the interview with flying colours.
Solved Q.20
"He let the cat out of the bag about the trip." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Revealed a secret unintentionally.
Example: She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise holiday.
Example: She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise holiday.
Proverbs also carry layers of meaning like idioms do. Catch the differences in the
Proverbs and Sayings
guide. For more figurative expressions, the
Proverbs worksheet
is a great follow‑up.
✏️ Practice Questions (20 Questions with Answers)
Now test your understanding of these common idioms.
Practice Q.1
"Once in a blue moon" means?
Show Answer
Answer: Very rarely.
Example: We eat out once in a blue moon.
Example: We eat out once in a blue moon.
Practice Q.2
"When I heard the news, I was over the moon." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Extremely happy and delighted.
Example: She was over the moon about her result.
Example: She was over the moon about her result.
Practice Q.3
"You are pulling my leg, aren't you?" Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Joking or teasing.
Example: Don't believe him; he's just pulling your leg.
Example: Don't believe him; he's just pulling your leg.
Practice Q.4
"He gave me the cold shoulder at the party." What does it mean?
Show Answer
Answer: Ignored or treated in an unfriendly way.
Example: She gave me the cold shoulder after our argument.
Example: She gave me the cold shoulder after our argument.
Practice Q.5
"Cross your fingers that we win." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Hope for good luck and a positive outcome.
Example: Cross your fingers that the weather stays fine.
Example: Cross your fingers that the weather stays fine.
Practice Q.6
"His words cut like a knife." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Hurt deeply; caused emotional pain.
Example: Her criticism cut like a knife.
Example: Her criticism cut like a knife.
Practice Q.7
"You must bite the bullet and tell the truth." What does 'bite the bullet' mean?
Show Answer
Answer: Face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage.
Example: I had to bite the bullet and apologise.
Example: I had to bite the bullet and apologise.
Practice Q.8
"The plan was a piece of cake." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Very easy.
Example: The assignment was a piece of cake.
Example: The assignment was a piece of cake.
Practice Q.9
"Take it with a pinch of salt." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Don't believe it completely; treat it with some doubt.
Example: He tends to exaggerate, so take his stories with a pinch of salt.
Example: He tends to exaggerate, so take his stories with a pinch of salt.
Practice Q.10
"Don't cry over spilt milk." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Don't waste time worrying about things that have already happened and cannot be changed.
Example: You failed the test, but don't cry over spilt milk.
Example: You failed the test, but don't cry over spilt milk.
Practice Q.11
"He is a dark horse in the competition." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Someone whose abilities are not known but who may do surprisingly well.
Example: Nobody knew much about her, but she won — a real dark horse.
Example: Nobody knew much about her, but she won — a real dark horse.
Practice Q.12
"He is the apple of his mother's eye." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Someone who is loved very much and seen as precious.
Example: The youngest child is the apple of their father's eye.
Example: The youngest child is the apple of their father's eye.
Practice Q.13
"He got a taste of his own medicine." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Experienced the same bad treatment that he gave to others.
Example: The bully finally got a taste of his own medicine.
Example: The bully finally got a taste of his own medicine.
Practice Q.14
"Stop beating around the bush and speak directly." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Avoiding the main point or topic; talking indirectly.
Example: Please don't beat around the bush — tell me what happened.
Example: Please don't beat around the bush — tell me what happened.
Practice Q.15
"We got through that task by the skin of our teeth." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Narrowly; just barely succeeded.
Example: We caught the train by the skin of our teeth.
Example: We caught the train by the skin of our teeth.
Practice Q.16
"That book costs an arm and a leg." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Very expensive.
Example: This hobby costs an arm and a leg.
Example: This hobby costs an arm and a leg.
Practice Q.17
"I smell a rat in this deal." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Suspect that something is wrong or dishonest.
Example: The offer seemed genuine, but I smelt a rat.
Example: The offer seemed genuine, but I smelt a rat.
Practice Q.18
"He is out of the woods now." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: No longer in danger or difficulty.
Example: After the surgery, he is finally out of the woods.
Example: After the surgery, he is finally out of the woods.
Practice Q.19
"Her cooking is out of this world." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Exceptionally good; wonderful.
Example: The dessert was out of this world.
Example: The dessert was out of this world.
Practice Q.20
"She kept a stiff upper lip during the crisis." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Remained brave and did not show emotions.
Example: Despite the pain, he kept a stiff upper lip.
Example: Despite the pain, he kept a stiff upper lip.
๐ Explore Our Learning Hubs
- Worksheets Master Hub — complete library for every subject and grade.
- Mathematics Hub (Class 1 to 12) — step‑by‑step maths tutorials from primary to senior secondary.
- Hindi Grammar Hub — clear, comprehensive Hindi vyakaran.
- GPN Knowledge Hub — fascinating reads and study tips for curious learners.
๐ Challenge Questions (10 Questions with Answers)
These idioms are a bit less common — see if you can figure them out.
Challenge Q.1
"He is always blowing his own trumpet." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Boasting about his own achievements.
Example: Nobody likes a person who blows his own trumpet all the time.
Example: Nobody likes a person who blows his own trumpet all the time.
Challenge Q.2
"We need to iron out the differences before the meeting." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Resolve or settle problems and disagreements.
Example: They ironed out all the issues before signing.
Example: They ironed out all the issues before signing.
Challenge Q.3
"She made a mountain out of a molehill." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Exaggerated a small problem into a big one.
Example: It's just a scratch; don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
Example: It's just a scratch; don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
Challenge Q.4
"The offer came straight from the horse's mouth." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: From a reliable or direct source.
Example: I got the news straight from the horse's mouth.
Example: I got the news straight from the horse's mouth.
Challenge Q.5
"He was caught red-handed stealing the biscuits." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Caught in the act of doing something wrong.
Example: The thief was caught red-handed.
Example: The thief was caught red-handed.
Challenge Q.6
"You have hit the nail on the head." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Described exactly what is causing a situation or problem.
Example: When you said it's a communication problem, you hit the nail on the head.
Example: When you said it's a communication problem, you hit the nail on the head.
Challenge Q.7
"Don't put all your eggs in one basket." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Don't risk everything on a single venture or plan.
Example: Invest in different places; don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Example: Invest in different places; don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Challenge Q.8
"He burned the midnight oil to finish the report." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Worked late into the night.
Example: She burned the midnight oil studying for exams.
Example: She burned the midnight oil studying for exams.
Challenge Q.9
"After the long hike, we called it a day." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Stopped working or doing an activity for the rest of the day.
Example: It's 6 pm; let's call it a day and go home.
Example: It's 6 pm; let's call it a day and go home.
Challenge Q.10
"He is sitting on the fence about the decision." Meaning?
Show Answer
Answer: Undecided; not taking sides.
Example: You can't sit on the fence forever — choose one.
Example: You can't sit on the fence forever — choose one.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1
What is an idiom?
Show Answer
Answer: An idiom is a phrase whose overall meaning is different from the literal meaning of the individual words. For example, "break the ice" does not mean breaking ice; it means starting a conversation in a friendly way.
FAQ 2
How is an idiom different from a proverb?
Show Answer
Answer: An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning is not obvious from the words alone. A proverb is a short, well-known saying that states a general truth or piece of advice. Some expressions can be both!
FAQ 3
Why are idioms hard to understand?
Show Answer
Answer: Because their meaning cannot be guessed from the individual words. You need to learn them as whole expressions, often with a cultural or historical story behind them.
FAQ 4
How can I learn idioms easily?
Show Answer
Answer: Read stories, watch English shows, and practise using idioms in sentences. Group them by theme (emotions, animals, body parts) — that helps them stick.
FAQ 5
Name three common English idioms and their meanings.
Show Answer
Answer: 1. "Piece of cake" – very easy. 2. "Under the weather" – feeling sick. 3. "Let the cat out of the bag" – reveal a secret.
