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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Can 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 die
To retire
To relax for the weekend
To go to sleep
According to an old English proverb, a cat has how many lives?
Twelve
One
Eleven
Nine
According to the old proverb, what should be given when it's due?
Payment
Debit
Credit
Revenge
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?
Tough
Well
Happy
Fine
What phrase completes this proverb? When the cat is away, ___.
The dogs will play
The hamster will play
The children will play
The mice will play
Complete this saying: A leopard cannot change its ___.
Spots
Claws
Skin
Teeth
A person who has a strong constitution is said to have a 'cast iron ___'. Which of these words fits the bill?
Stomach
Kidney
Hand
Heart
According to the old saying, which of these should you not place before the horse?
Your dinner
The buggy
The groceries
The cart
Complete this idiom: As ___ as a fruit cake.
Fruity
Silly
Tasty
Nutty
You do not need to be a seamstress to complete the following proverb: A stitch in time, saves ___,
One
Eleven
Three
Nine
You're halfway there! To take sand to the beach means the same as which of these idioms?
Carry coals to Newcastle
Go jump in a lake
Go down the garden path
Lead a horse to water
Which of these other proverbs is closest in meaning to the following proverb? "Better late than never."
The early bird catches the worm.
All good things come to an end.
Time is money.
Good things must come to those who wait.
What word completes this idiom that means to be embarrassed: ___ on your face?
Apple
Vinegar
Salt
Egg
In the common proverb, what's the drink you make when life hands you something sour?
Lemonade
Coffee
Lime juice
Cocktail
Can you pick out the last word of this saying: "You can't teach an old dog new ___"?
Games
Tricks
Routes
Habits
What word completes this idiom that means to deprive somebody of their livelihood: take the ___ out of someone's mouth?
Teeth
Chip
Pancake
Bread
Complete this saying: If god had meant us to fly he would have given us ___.
Helicopters
Airplanes
Wings
Parachutes
Almost at the end! In the common saying, if you sell someone down the river, what have you done to them?
Paid them
Protected them
Betrayed 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."
The grass is always greener on the other side.
Practice what you preach.
Better safe than sorry.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
3 Comments
Oof 11/20
14/20!
18/20