Adding some sophisticated words and expressions to our repertoire of vocabulary that we use everyday is a great way to boost our word smarts. English idioms are often used in everyday speech and writing. They can add color and interest to your communication. At the same time, however, you need to be careful not to overuse them. Too much of a good thing can make your language sound contrived or trite. When using idioms and tricky words, keep in mind that your audience may not be familiar with them. It's always a good idea to explain what you mean if there's any chance your listener or reader might not understand.
Put your knowledge of the English language to the test with this fun quiz! Read each question carefully and choose the answer that you feel is correct. If you want to challenge yourself, you can try to achieve an A+ by scoring at least 15. Without any further ado, get ready to challenge yourself and put your English knowledge to the test.
Can You Actually Score Over 15 on This 20-Question English Test? Quiz Questions
Let's start off easy. What's a word for the outside front of a building? People can put up fake ones, too.
Foyer
Facade
Breezeway
Galley
What does the phrase "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth" mean?
Horses should be ridden.
Show appreciation for a gift.
Don't give a horse as a gift.
Exactly what it says, the horse could bite you.
If someone is "long in the tooth," what does that mean?
The person needs to see a dentist.
The person needs to whiten their teeth.
The person's tooth needs to be pulled.
The person is old.
Something extremely small is:
Infinatesimal
Infinitisimal
Infinitecimal
Infinitesimal
You're about to go on stage and your friend tells you to "break a leg." What does that mean?
Don't be nervous.
Say hello to the audience.
Good luck!
Get hurt onstage.
When you say something is "a piece of cake," what are you saying?
You are saying you need extra frosting (or money) to do the task.
You're referring to a piece of cake.
It is someone's birthday.
You are saying a task is easy.
What does "onus" mean?
Unique entity
Proof of residency or status
Burden
Taking shortcuts in life is like doing which action?
Keeping your head above water
Cutting corners
Dodging a bullet
Crossing the bridge when you get there
This plant-eating mammal with horns native to Asia and Africa is called a:
Rhinoceras
Rinosauros
Rhinosaurus
Rhinoceros
What does it mean to "bilk" someone?
To swindle them
To imitate them
To compliment their appearance
To recommend their services
You're at the halfway point of the quiz! Singularity in skill leads one to be which kind of animal?
A loan shark
Cash cow
A one-trick pony
An elephant in the room
Which word works best in the following sentence? Caren refused to ___ her belief in Santa Claus.
Ignore
Abjure
Exonerate
Pontificate
Which expression is most similar in meaning to the phrase "it's not rocket science"?
In a pickle
As easy as pie
In the red
It's not brain surgery.
When you describe an item which is very expensive, it is said to cost 'an arm and a' what body part?
Eye
Liver
Leg
Knee
A good example of a situation in which a person might use the proverb, "Two wrongs don't make a right," would be...
When Jill misses Sally after not seeing her for several months.
When Jill and Sally foolishly invest all of their money into a financial venture they didn't take the time to research.
When Jill has hurt Sally very badly, and Sally wants to retaliate.
When Jill and Sally both miss the same question on the history quiz.
Speech is ___ but silence is golden.
Silver
Black
Pink
Red
True or false: "A" is the most common letter used in the English language.
False
True
You're almost at the end! Identify the conjunction in the following sentence: There are lots of flowers in the park; however, you can see them only at certain times of the year.
However
Only
In
Which of these other proverbs is closest in meaning to the following proverb? "Practice makes perfect."
Still waters run deep.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
God helps those who help themselves.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Last but not least, how strong is the wind when a "zephyr" blows through?
