
Idioms and proverbs are often an important part of a language. Idioms are expressions which have a meaning which cannot be understood from the individual words themselves. Proverbs are short, well-known sayings, often of unknown origin, which express a truth based on common sense or experience.
The use of idioms and proverbs can make a piece of writing more interesting and can also help to convey a message more clearly. They are used to describe feelings or situations and can add a lot of meaning to what someone is saying. There are many idioms and sayings in English that are used in everyday conversation.
In this quiz, you will be tested on your understanding of various commonly used idioms, proverbs and sayings in the English language. Not only would you be asked to complete certain expressions, you will also be quizzed on their meanings. Obviously, you would need to be a well-read person to ace this quiz. Think you can do it?
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Get PremiumCan You Get 15 on This 20-Question Quiz About Common Idioms & Sayings? Questions
Let's start off with an easy question. What does the idiom "kick the bucket" mean?

To go to sleep
To retire
To die
To relax for the weekend
According to an old English proverb, a cat has how many lives?

Eleven
Nine
One
Twelve
According to the old proverb, what should be given when it's due?

Credit
Debit
Revenge
Payment
All that happens to be this also tends to end the same way. Which of these words seems to fit this proverb and the title of a Shakespearean play?

Happy
Well
Tough
Fine
What phrase completes this proverb? When the cat is away, ___.

The hamster will play
The children will play
The dogs will play
The mice will play
Complete this saying: A leopard cannot change its ___.

Skin
Teeth
Claws
Spots
A person who has a strong constitution is said to have a 'cast iron ___'. Which of these words fits the bill?

Stomach
Kidney
Heart
Hand
According to the old saying, which of these should you not place before the horse?

The buggy
The cart
The groceries
Your dinner
Complete this idiom: As ___ as a fruit cake.

Nutty
Silly
Tasty
Fruity
You do not need to be a seamstress to complete the following proverb: A stitch in time, saves ___,

One
Three
Eleven
Nine
You're halfway there! To take sand to the beach means the same as which of these idioms?

Go down the garden path
Go jump in a lake
Lead a horse to water
Carry coals to Newcastle
Which of these other proverbs is closest in meaning to the following proverb? "Better late than never."

Time is money.
The early bird catches the worm.
Good things must come to those who wait.
All good things come to an end.
What word completes this idiom that means to be embarrassed: ___ on your face?

Egg
Salt
Apple
Vinegar
In the common proverb, what's the drink you make when life hands you something sour?

Coffee
Lime juice
Cocktail
Lemonade
Can you pick out the last word of this saying: "You can't teach an old dog new ___"?

Tricks
Routes
Habits
Games
What word completes this idiom that means to deprive somebody of their livelihood: take the ___ out of someone's mouth?

Pancake
Teeth
Bread
Chip
Complete this saying: If god had meant us to fly he would have given us ___.

Wings
Airplanes
Helicopters
Parachutes
Almost at the end! In the common saying, if you sell someone down the river, what have you done to them?

Paid them
Betrayed them
Protected them
Killed them
Which of these idioms means to move with hardly any effort?

From coast to coast
Coast is clear
Coast along
Left coast
Here's the final question: which of these other proverbs is closest in meaning to the following proverb? "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst."

Practice what you preach.
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Better safe than sorry.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
3 Comments
Oof 11/20
14/20!
18/20