Idioms for IGCSE English as a Second Language 1

Questions and Answers

What does 'A blessing in disguise' mean?

A complicated situation

A bad thing that felt good

An obvious improvement

A good thing that seemed bad at first (correct)

What does it mean to 'beat around the bush'?

Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable

'Better late than never' suggests that doing something late is worse than not doing it at all.

False

What does 'bite the bullet' mean?

To endure a painful, unpleasant situation courageously. Signup and view all the answers

'Get out of hand' means to get _____

out of control Signup and view all the answers

'No pain, no gain' implies that effort is necessary to achieve success.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'pull someone's leg'?

To joke with someone Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if you need to 'pull yourself together'?

Calm down Signup and view all the answers

'So far so good' means everything is perfect so far.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' imply?

Having something certain is better than risking it for more. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'actions speak louder than words'?

Believe what people do and not what they say Signup and view all the answers

'Bite off more than you can chew' means to try to do _____

too much or more than you can handle Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'break the ice'?

Make people feel more comfortable Signup and view all the answers

If something 'costs an arm and a leg', what does that mean?

It is very expensive or costly Signup and view all the answers

What does 'a piece of cake' refer to?

Something that is very easy Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to 'hit the nail on the head'?

To do or say something exactly right Signup and view all the answers

'It's raining cats and dogs' indicates a light drizzle.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does 'kill two birds with one stone' mean?

Get two things done at once with a single action Signup and view all the answers

What does 'once in a blue moon' refer to?

Something that happens very rarely Signup and view all the answers

What does 'the ball is in your court' imply?

It is your decision this time Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Common Idioms and Their Meanings

A blessing in disguise: Refers to a situation that initially appears negative but results in positive outcomes.
Beat around the bush: Means to avoid directly addressing a topic, often to prevent discomfort.
Better late than never: Suggests that completing a task late is preferable to not completing it at all.
Bite the bullet: Indicates enduring a difficult or painful situation with bravery.
Get out of hand: Describes a situation that has become unmanageable or chaotic.
No pain, no gain: Emphasizes that effort and hardship are often necessary to achieve success.
Pull someone's leg: Means to tease or joke with someone playfully.
Pull yourself together: Encourages someone to regain composure and calmness.
So far so good: Expresses that things have been going well up to this point.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush: Suggests that it is wiser to hold onto something certain than risk losing it for something better.
Actions speak louder than words: Signifies that a person's actions are more indicative of their intentions than their words.
Bite off more than you can chew: Refers to taking on an overwhelming workload or responsibility that exceeds one's capacity.
Break the ice: Means to initiate conversation in order to ease tension or discomfort in social situations.
Cost an arm and a leg: Describes something that is very expensive.
A piece of cake: Refers to a task that is very easy to accomplish.
Hit the nail on the head: Indicates that someone has accurately identified or addressed a situation.
It's raining cats and dogs: A vivid way of saying it is raining heavily.
Kill two birds with one stone: Means to achieve two goals with a single effort.
Once in a blue moon: Refers to an event that occurs very infrequently.
The ball is in your court: Signifies that it is now someone else's turn to make a decision or take action.

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Description

This quiz covers essential idioms that are important for IGCSE English as a second language students. Each idiom is defined to help enhance your vocabulary and understanding of English expressions. Test your knowledge and learn how to use these idioms in context.