COMMON CORE LANGUAGE

idioms
free practice worksheets

TEST MATE
Learning Resources
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This book includes just a small sample of the worksheets from our language series. Each complete
workbook includes 101 worksheets divided into 10 sets that increase in difficulty. These worksheets
are excellent for homework, classroom exercises, daily practice, or independent learning. Please click
the titles below to find out more.

BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Figurative Language: Idioms, Similes, Metaphors, Adages, & Proverbs
The exercises in this book cover all of the following:
 understanding the meaning of idioms
 using idioms to express ideas
 understanding metaphors and similes
 recognizing the meaning of adages and proverbs
 using exaggeration and hyperbole

Language Skills: Synonyms and Antonyms

The exercises in this book cover all of the following:
 understanding and using synonyms and antonyms
 using prefixes and suffixes
 understanding shades of meanings
 categorizing and sorting words
 choosing words to convey ideas precisely
 recognizing words with positive and negative connotations

Language Skills: Compound Words

The exercises in this book cover all of the following:
 understanding and using compound words
 using word parts to understand word meanings
 understanding and using prefixes and suffixes
 forming and using adverbs
 using pronouns

Language Skills: Homonyms, Homographs, & Homophones

The exercises in this book cover all of the following:
 understanding and using homonyms, homographs, and homophones
 using context to determine word meaning
 spelling words correctly
 applying phonics and word-analysis skills

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Worksheet 1

Complete the idiom in each sentence with the correct set of words. Then
explain the meaning of each sentence in your own words.

the bed blue moon cats and dogs

your court new leaf eye to eye

1 It happens once in a blue moon.

It happens very rarely.

2 He got up on the wrong side of .

3 They did not see .

4 She turned over a .

5 It was raining .

6 The ball is in .

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 Worksheet 2

Underline the idiom in each sentence. Then write the meaning of the idiom on
the blank line.

1 It was still raining, so I was in two minds about going to the beach.

2 The two-year-old child flies off the handle every time his mother goes out.

3 The time for the dance was not set in stone.

4 We had to start from scratch because the toy plane we made did not fly at all.

5 I could not decide what the best choice was, so I decided to sleep on it.

6 It is unfair to a hard worker if all team members do not pull their weight.
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Worksheet 3

Complete each sentence.

Start by thinking about what the idiom at the start of each sentence
means. Then think of a way to finish the sentence that makes sense.

1 I lost my cool when

2 I was in a jam because

3 I was thrilled to bits when

4 I put my foot in it when

5 I kept my fingers crossed because

6 I was at the end of my rope because

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Write the meaning of each idiom on the line. Then use the idiom in a sentence.

Remember to use the special meaning of each phrase, and not the
literal meaning.

1 had a brainwave had a good idea Oliver

invented a new phone after he had a brainwave.

2 in a heartbeat

3 bit my head off

4 on the money

5 in the ballpark

6 lost his temper

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Worksheet 5

Replace the underlined words in each sentence with one of the phrases in the
table below. Then explain what each sentence means.

like wildfire hit the road a walk in the park

had a blast on the blink iron out

1 The news spread like wildfire.

The news spread quickly.

2 The fridge is _.

3 We had to some problems.

4 The test was .

5 We at eight o'clock.

6 Everyone at the party.

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List five situations where someone could be on the fence about something.

Choose one of the situations you listed above. Write a paragraph describing a
time where someone is on the fence. It could be real or made up. Explain what
the person is on the fence about and why the person feels that way.
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Worksheet 8

Describe a time when you bent over backwards for someone.

Describe who you bent over backwards for and what you did.

Describe a time in your life when you had to face the music.

Describe what you did that you had to face the music about and what
happened.

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Each sentence uses an idiom to describe a person. Finish each paragraph by
giving a detail to support the first sentence.

Start by working out what the idiom is telling you about the person.

1 Janet does not pull any punches. She always tells you the truth even
if it makes you feel bad.

2 Tommy is getting too big for his boots.

3 Donnie is a bad egg.

4 Tamika is full of beans.

5 Zachary is a loose cannon.

6 Roland is a tough cookie.

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ANSWERS
Worksheet 1
The meaning given may vary slightly. The words to be used and sample meanings are given below.
1. blue moon / It happens very rarely. 2. the bed / He got up in a bad mood.
3. eye to eye / They did not agree. 4. new leaf / She made a new start.
5. cats and dogs / It was raining heavily. 6. your court / It is up to you.

Worksheet 2
The meaning given may vary slightly. The words to be underlined and sample meanings are given
below.
1. in two minds / undecided 2. flies off the handle / gets very upset
3. not set in stone / could be changed 4. start from scratch / start all over again
5. sleep on it / think about it overnight 6. pull their weight / do their share of work

Worksheet 3
Answers will vary. Any reasonable ending to the sentence that makes sense in context can be
accepted.

Worksheet 4
The meaning given may vary slightly. Sample meanings are given below. Any sentence that uses the
idiom correctly can be accepted.
1. had a good idea 2. quickly/at any time 3. yelled at me
4. correct/exactly right 5. close/about right 6. became angry

Worksheet 5
The meaning given may vary slightly. The words to be used and sample meanings are given below.
1. like wildfire / The news spread quickly. 2. on the blink / The fridge is broken.
3. iron out / We had to solve some problems. 4. a walk in the park / The test was easy.
5. hit the road / We left at eight o'clock. 6. had a blast / Everyone had a great time at the party.

Worksheet 6
Answers will vary. Any reasonable answer can be accepted.

Worksheet 7
Answers will vary. Any reasonable answer can be accepted.

Worksheet 8
Answers will vary. Any detail or example given that supports the first sentence is acceptable.

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