Idioms challenge!

WORKSHEET A

Exercise 1

Read the definitions (1-7) below of some idioms. For each definition, two of the
expressions (a-c) have been invented, but one is the correct idiom. Can you
identify it?

1. to deceive you or give you false information, often causing you to waste your time
a) lead you up the garden path
b) give you a tour of idiot town
c) put you in a fool’s house

2. to let someone avoid an unpleasant situation, or let someone avoid blame or

punishment for something they have done wrong
a) let someone off the hook
b) let someone out of the honey jar
c) let someone swim past the shark

3. to spoil your plans, or spoil something good that you are enjoying
a) put salt on your chocolate
b) rain on your parade
c) add gas to your coffee

4. to stop doing something for a while, usually until at least the following day
a) put the day to bed
b) call it a day
c) put the day in your pocket

5. a surprise plan or idea that you think will be successful, but you are keeping secret
until the time is right
a) a diamond in your wallet
b) a champagne on ice
c) a card up your sleeve

6. to talk to someone about something that has been worrying you, so that you feel
better about it
a) get something off the bottom of your shoe
b) get a stone out of your sock
c) get something off your chest

7. to be embarrassed or appear stupid because something that you tried to do has gone
wrong
a) get/have milk on your salad
b) get/have egg on your face
c) get/have oil on your hands

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Idioms challenge! WORKSHEET B

Exercise 2

Now choose the correct answer (a, b, or c) for each of the questions below.

1. What does it mean if you “eat your words”?

a) You admit that something you said earlier was wrong.
b) You think you are always right, and like listening to yourself talk.
c) You do not speak clearly.

2. What does “the icing on the cake” mean?

a) something unhealthy and unnecessary
b) something that you notice immediately but is actually not very important
c) something that makes a good situation even better

3. What does it mean if something happens “in a flash”?

a) It happens very quickly.
b) It happens very slowly.
c) It attracts the attention of a lot of people.

4. What does it mean if somebody says they would “jump through hoops” for you?
a) They would try to make you laugh.
b) They would make great efforts and sacrifices for you.
c) They would make things really difficult for you.

5. What does it mean if somebody or something is not “up to scratch”?

a) They do not reach the required or expected standard.
b) They perform well in difficult circumstances.
c) They do the job they are intended to do.

6. What does it mean if an idea or plan is “pie in the sky”?

a) It has already failed.
b) It would make a current situation worse.
c) It is totally unrealistic and therefore will never happen.

7. What does “the grass is always greener” mean? (The complete expression is “the
grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”)
a) Life seems better somewhere else, or other people’s situations seem better than
your own.
b) Things will get better if you are optimistic.
c) Some people are always lying about what they have or do, so you should never
believe them.

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It is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages. Copyright © Macmillan Publishers S. A. de C.V. 2009
Idioms challenge! WORKSHEET C

Exercise 3

Complete the sentences below with the appropriate idioms from Exercises 1 and 2. You
may need to change the verb forms.

1. “What? He bought a car just so he could drive you to the airport? Wow, he would
really ______ ______ ______ for you!”

2. “Our company’s new advertising campaign has been a total disaster, so now we’ve all
got ______ ______ ______ ______. The problem was that we didn’t have enough
money, or the right people. Last year they said we’d have everything we needed, but
it was all ______ ______ ______ ______ .”

3. “I was very nervous about telling Jo what had happened, as I didn’t know how she’d
react, but I really needed to ______ it ______ ______ ______ .”

4. “They were losing the soccer game 1-0, but then he came on as a substitute and
changed the game ______ ______ ______ . Five minutes later they were winning 3-1.
The fourth goal was the ______ ______ ______ ______. Everyone who’d said he
wasn’t a great player had to ______ their ______ .”

5. “It’s so unfair. Basically it’s Tony’s fault the project failed, but our boss didn’t realize
that, so Tony was ______ ______ ______ ______, and I got the blame instead!”

6. “I’m so tired that I can’t think straight any more. Why don’t we just ______ ______
______ ______, and continue tomorrow morning?”

7. “The new guy at work didn’t last long. It was clear after a month that he wasn’t really
______ ______ ______, so they told him his contract wouldn’t be extended.”

8. “Mary was getting all excited about organizing the New Year’s Eve party. Then the
owner of the venue ______ ______ ______ ______ by saying the party couldn’t go
on after 11:00 p.m., so she had to cancel everything.”

9. “Look, let’s wait and see if they accept our first proposal. If not, don’t worry, I’ve got
another ______ ______ my ______ . It’s a suggestion I’m sure they’ll like.”

10. “The real estate agents said they’d found us a two-bedroom apartment right on the
edge of the park. Well, when we got there we realized they’d been ______ us ______
______ ______ ______ – it was a mile from the park, and the second bedroom was
more like a closet.”

11. “You know what, Dave, the ______ ______ ______ ______ . I know it looks like
Steve’s got the perfect job, but if you actually had to do it for a few months I think
you would get tired of it.”

This page has been downloaded from www.insideout.net

It is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages. Copyright © Macmillan Publishers S. A. de C.V. 2009