Idioms and Their Meanings Quiz

Questions and Answers

What does 'steal someone's thunder' mean?

To take credit for someone else's work (correct)

To help someone with their task

To speak loudly in a meeting

To attend a thunderstorm

'A hot potato' refers to a topic that nobody is interested in.

False

What does 'Add insult to injury' mean?

To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation.

If someone is 'barking up the wrong tree', they are _______________.

looking in the wrong place Signup and view all the answers

What does 'The ball is in your court' mean?

It's up to you to make the next decision or step Signup and view all the answers

'Best of both worlds' means to have all the disadvantages.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does 'Bite off more than you can chew' mean?

To take on a task that is way too big Signup and view all the answers

What does the phrase 'Cut corners' mean?

To save money by doing something poorly Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'Cry over spilt milk' means to complain about a future loss.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the expression 'Every cloud has a silver lining' imply?

There is hope or something positive in every difficult situation. Signup and view all the answers

When you are overly curious, remember that ______ killed the cat.

curiosity Signup and view all the answers

Match the following idioms to their meanings:

Costs an arm and a leg = Very expensive Feel a bit under the weather = Feeling slightly ill Don't put all your eggs in one basket = Do not invest everything in one option Cross that bridge when you come to it = Deal with a problem later Signup and view all the answers

Which idiom means that two people are required for an action to occur?

It takes two to tango Signup and view all the answers

The phrase 'Hit the sack' means to wake up early.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'give the benefit of the doubt'?

To trust someone's statement in the absence of proof. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Idioms and Their Meanings

Sit on the fence: Indicates indecision or reluctance to choose sides in a situation.
Speak of the devil: Used when the person just mentioned unexpectedly appears.
Steal someone's thunder: Refers to taking credit for another’s achievement or idea.
Take with a grain of salt: Suggests viewing statements with skepticism or caution.
Taste of your own medicine: Experiencing consequences similar to those you've inflicted on others.
Hear it straight from the horse's mouth: Receiving information from a reliable, direct source.
A hot potato: Describes a controversial or sensitive current issue that people discuss.
A penny for your thoughts: A phrase used to inquire what someone is thinking.
Actions speak louder than words: Suggests that behavior is more telling than verbal promises.
Add insult to injury: Means to make a bad situation worse through mockery or offense.
At the drop of a hat: Implies immediate action or response without hesitation.
Back to the drawing board: Indicates starting over after a failure.
Ball is in your court: Signifies that it is someone's turn to make a decision or take action.
Barking up the wrong tree: Accusing or searching in the wrong place or for the wrong reasons.
Be glad to see the back of: Feeling relieved when someone departs.
Beat around the bush: Avoiding addressing the core issue or topic directly.
Best of both worlds: Enjoying the advantages from two different situations.
Best thing since sliced bread: Highlights an excellent idea, innovation, or invention.
Bite off more than you can chew: Taking on an excessive task that is too overwhelming.
Blessing in disguise: An unexpected good outcome that initially seems negative.
Burn the midnight oil: Refers to working late into the night.
Can't judge a book by its cover: Advises against forming opinions based solely on appearances.
Caught between two stools: Struggling to choose between two different options.
Costs an arm and a leg: Indicates that something is very costly.
Cross that bridge when you come to it: Suggests addressing a problem only when it arises.
Cry over spilt milk: Complaining about something that cannot be changed or undone.
Curiosity killed the cat: Warns that excessive curiosity can lead to trouble.
Cut corners: Refers to doing something poorly to save time or money.
Cut the mustard: Means to meet expectations or standards.
Devil's advocate: Taking a contrary position to stimulate debate or discussion.
Don't count your chickens before the eggs have hatched: Advises against assuming success prematurely.
Don't give up the day job: Suggests someone isn’t particularly skilled at a certain activity.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket: Warns against relying on a single plan or option.
Drastic times call for drastic measures: Urges extreme actions in desperate circumstances.
Elvis has left the building: Indicates that an event has concluded or is over.
Every cloud has a silver lining: Encourages optimism, suggesting that hardships can lead to good outcomes.
Far cry from: Describes a situation that is significantly different from another.
Feel a bit under the weather: Refers to feeling ill or unwell.
Give the benefit of the doubt: Accepting someone's story as true without proof.
Hear it on the grapevine: Refers to gathering information unofficially or through rumors.
Hit the nail on the head: Accurately identifying or addressing an issue.
Hit the sack/sheets/hay: Colloquial term for going to bed or sleeping.
In the heat of the moment: Acting impulsively under pressure or strong emotion.
It takes two to tango: Highlights the necessity of collaboration or mutual participation in interactions.