Common English Phrases Quiz

Idioms and Their Meanings

• A Man of Letters: Refers to someone who is well-read, educated, and often engages in writing, typically in the context of literature or scholarly work.

• Bring Down the House: To achieve a spectacular success, often used in contexts like performances that receive overwhelming applause, indicating great approval from the audience.

• Horse Sense: Common sense or practical judgment; the ability to make sound decisions based on simple everyday knowledge and experience.

• Give a Wide Berth: To avoid someone or something by keeping a safe distance, often used in contexts where there is a desire to avoid confrontation or difficulty.

• Rise with the Lark: To wake up very early in the morning, highlighting a sense of diligence or early activity.

• Be at One's Wit's End: To be extremely frustrated or puzzled, feeling that one has exhausted all options or solutions in a troubling situation.

• To Catch Up With: To reach the same level or standard as someone or something that has been ahead, often used in the context of progress or information.

• To Utter a Secret Carelessly or by Mistake: Relates to the phrase “let the cat out of the bag,” indicating leakage of confidential information.

• Too Many Iron in the Fire: To be involved in many activities or projects at once, which can lead to being overwhelmed or unable to focus on any one thing.

• To Run Away in Fear: Expressed by the phrase “to flee like a scared rabbit,” indicating a response of panic or fear during a threatening situation.

• To Smell a Rat: To sense that something is wrong or suspicious; an instinctive recognition of deceit or trouble.

• Readily Accept as Certainly True: Associated with the phrase “take at face value,” meaning to believe something without questioning or investigating further.

• Pull Up/Reprimand: To scold or correct someone for their behavior or mistakes, often used in the context of disciplinary actions.

• Gift of the Gab: The ability to speak easily and confidently, often in a persuasive manner; someone with strong conversational skills.

• Make a Mountain of a Molehill: To exaggerate a minor issue into something significant; turning a trivial matter into a big deal.

• Caught Red-Handed: To be found in the act of doing something wrong or illegal, often used in contexts related to theft or deception.

• Leave in the Lurch: To abandon someone in a difficult situation, leaving them unable to cope or manage alone.

• Cross Swords: To engage in a dispute or argument, indicating a conflict of opinions or ideas.

• Take After: To resemble family members in appearance or character traits, often referring to inherited characteristics.

• Achilles's Heel: A weakness or vulnerability, particularly in a strong or powerful person, derived from the myth of Achilles who had one vulnerable spot.

• Blow One's Own Trumpet: To boast or brag about one’s own achievements, often seen as self-promotion.

• See Through: To recognize the truth about someone or something, often used when someone is pretending or being deceptive.

• Sweep Under the Carpet: To hide or ignore problems or issues instead of confronting them, often leading to persistent unresolved matters.

• A Bolt from the Blue: A sudden and unexpected event, often with significant or disruptive implications.

• Introduce for Discussion: Related to the phrase “bring up,” meaning to raise a topic or issue for conversation or debate.

• Sowing Wild Oats: Refers to young people engaging in adventurous or reckless behavior as a part of growing up or exploring life.

• To Consider or Take Into Account: As in the phrase “to weigh the pros and cons,” highlighting the act of reflecting on different aspects before making a decision.

• Face the Music: To confront the consequences of one’s actions, especially when facing criticism or punishment.

• Leave No Means of Return: Indicated by the phrase “burn one’s bridges,” meaning to eliminate any possibility of going back to a previous situation or state.