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?
Test your knowledge on this language quiz and see if you can complete several of these popular phrases.
💬 Can You *Actually* Get More Than 15 on This 20-Question Quiz About Common Idioms and Sayings? Questions
Let's start off with an easy question. What does the idiom "kick the bucket" mean?
To relax for the weekend
To die
To retire
To go to sleep
According to an old English proverb, a cat has how many lives?
One
Eleven
Nine
Twelve
According to the old proverb, what should be given when it's due?
Debit
Payment
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?
Fine
Happy
Well
Tough
What phrase completes this proverb? When the cat is away, ___.
The hamster will play
The mice will play
The dogs will play
The children will play
Complete this saying: A leopard cannot change its ___.
Teeth
Claws
Skin
Spots
A person who has a strong constitution is said to have a 'cast iron ___'. Which of these words fits the bill?
Heart
Hand
Kidney
Stomach
According to the old saying, which of these should you not place before the horse?
The buggy
The groceries
The cart
Your dinner
Complete this idiom: As ___ as a fruit cake.
Silly
Nutty
Tasty
Fruity
You do not need to be a seamstress to complete the following proverb: A stitch in time, saves ___,
Three
One
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
Carry coals to Newcastle
Lead a horse to water
Which of these other proverbs is closest in meaning to the following proverb? "Better late than never."
All good things come to an end.
The early bird catches the worm.
Good things must come to those who wait.
Time is money.
What word completes this idiom that means to be embarrassed: ___ on your face?
Salt
Apple
Egg
Vinegar
In the common proverb, what's the drink you make when life hands you something sour?
Coffee
Cocktail
Lemonade
Lime juice
Can you pick out the last word of this saying: "You can't teach an old dog new ___"?
Routes
Tricks
Games
Habits
What word completes this idiom that means to deprive somebody of their livelihood: take the ___ out of someone's mouth?
Chip
Teeth
Bread
Pancake
Complete this saying: If god had meant us to fly he would have given us ___.
Airplanes
Helicopters
Wings
Parachutes
Almost at the end! In the common saying, if you sell someone down the river, what have you done to them?
Protected them
Paid them
Betrayed them
Killed them
Which of these idioms means to move with hardly any effort?
Coast is clear
Coast along
Left coast
From coast to 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."