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Idiom Worksheets & Tests

Students are often required to identify idioms on state tests, but what are idioms? It's hard to define them. This is because idioms are made from other figurative language techniques (like simile, metaphor, or hyperbole).

Idioms
Figurative expressions that are very common

Idioms are different from other figurative language instances because people use idioms A LOT. Idioms are cliched figurative expressions. They have become part of the language as it is used. They are so common that many native speakers are unaware that they are using figurative language. Let's look at an example:

He's running out of steam.

This figurative expressions is a metaphor. It compares the subject to a steam engine. But it's also an idiom. That's because the metaphor comparing steam to a person's energy is so common that it has become idiomatic. Native speakers don't have to bother to decode the metaphor. They know instantly what it means. Steam has become an idiomatic metaphor.

Many idioms are dated expressions. They may refer to technology that is less utilized today, like steam. This can make idioms challenging for young students to understand. Most of today's students do not understand the origins of the phrase "hang up the phone" yet alone the idiom "bought the farm." It is good to expose students to a wide range of idioms. This page contains tests, worksheets, and interactive activities to help your students master idioms.

Idiom Tests

Here are some idiom tests. Each test has 15 questions. Each question has a bolded idiom in a context-rich sentence. Students choose the best definition for each.

Idiom Test 1
This idiom test will help you evaluate how well your students can determine the meaning of idioms based on context. It features 15 multiple-choice questions. Students read context-rich sentences and determine the meaning of each bolded idiom.
This is a preview image of Idiom Test 1. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Idiom Test 2
Here's another idiom test with 15 multiple choice questions. This one is a bit harder than Idiom Test 1, so level accordingly. Students read context-rich sentences and determine the meaning of each bolded idiom. Print, edit, or complete online!
This is a preview image of Idiom Test 2. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.

Idiom Worksheets

Here are some idiom worksheets. The paper and printable versions of these worksheets are more open-ended than the idiom tests (above), which are multiple-choice. The online versions of these worksheets are pretty much the same.

Idiom Worksheet 1
Here is an idiom worksheet with 15 commonly used expressions with which students may be unfamiliar. Students read each idiom and, based on the context of the sentence, determine the meaning of the expression.
This is a preview image of Idiom Worksheet 1. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Idiom Worksheet 2
Give your students more exposure to idioms with this cool worksheet. It has 15 more idioms used in context-rich sentences. Students determine the meaning of each expression based on usage.
This is a preview image of Idiom Worksheet 2. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Idiom Worksheet 3
Here is another worksheet with 15 examples of commonly used idioms. Students will gain exposure to idioms. They will determine the meaning of idioms based on the context of each sentence. This worksheet is great practice.
This is a preview image of Idiom Worksheet 3. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Idiom Worksheet 4
This worksheet features another 15 commonly used idioms. Students read each sentence and attempt to determine the meaning of the idiom based on its context. This worksheet provides great general reading practice as well as exposure to idioms.
This is a preview image of Idiom Worksheet 4. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Idiom Worksheet 5
Here is yet another idiom worksheet with 15 more problems. Students read the sentences and determine the meaning of the bolded phrase based on the context of the sentence. Then they explain their answers. This one is a little bit harder than some of the other idiom worksheets.
This is a preview image of Idiom Worksheet 5. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Idiom Worksheet 6
Here is still another idiom worksheet. This one has15 more problems with commonly used idioms bolded. Students determine the meaning of each based on the context.
This is a preview image of Idiom Worksheet 6. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Idiom Worksheet 7
Here is one more idiom worksheet to give students the practice that they need. These idioms are used in context-rich sentences. Students determine the meaning of each idiom. This one is a little bit harder than some of the others.
This is a preview image of Idiom Worksheet 7. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.
Fact and Opinion Lesson
Here is a short PowerPoint slideshow teaching students to distinguish between facts and opinions. It also includes a 10 question practice activity at the end of the lesson.
This is a preview image of Fact and Opinion Lesson. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.

Idioms
Common Core State Standards

Idioms Anchor Standards
R.4 - Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

RL.2.4 - Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.
RL.3.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
RL.4.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
RL.5.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.
RL.6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
RL.7.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama.
RL.8.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
RL.9-10.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).
RL.11-12.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.)
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for R.4
L.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.

L.3.5a - Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g., take steps).
L.4.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.4.5a - Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
L.5.5a - Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
L.6.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.6.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
L.7.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.7.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
L.8.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.8.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
L.9-10.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5 - Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.11-12.5a - Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.
Click to VIEW Grade Level Standards for L.5
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79 Comments

  1. Diamond

     /  October 4, 2017

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    Reply
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     /  October 3, 2017

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     /  July 25, 2017

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     /  March 23, 2017

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     /  March 12, 2017

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  6. Zehra Suleman

     /  November 15, 2016

    i think there should be some more exercises for more illustration

    Reply
  7. keertti mutreja

     /  August 11, 2016

    Kudos to the Team…Amazing work !! Would be of Great help..Thank you

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     /  June 28, 2016

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  9. BUJJI

     /  June 10, 2016

    You saved my life with these exercises. Much appreciated. Thanks.

    Reply
  10. cassie

     /  April 28, 2016

    very great website. really help me to gain my knowledge in terms of idiomatic expression!! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS SITE!!I SALUTE

    Reply
  11. cassie

     /  April 28, 2016

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    Reply
  12. Mariesa

     /  April 27, 2016

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    Reply
  13. Roxana Santee

     /  March 20, 2016

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  14. DUAA LAKANI

     /  February 10, 2016

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    Reply
  15. Deana

     /  October 9, 2015

    I love this site. Do you think there is anyway you could add some expository writing activities?

    Reply
  16. Bonnie

     /  August 25, 2015

    Great website!

    In Idiom Test 1, I believe the correct answer for #5. is a, and #8 is c.

    Reply
  17. carlos

     /  July 9, 2015

    You saved my life with these exercises. Much appreciated. Thanks.

    Reply
  18. Jim

     /  July 2, 2015

    It’s just great that people are willing to share such valuable resources. Thank you indeed.

    Reply
  19. faresa

     /  March 24, 2015

    Wow wonderful

    Reply
  20. Sarah

     /  December 31, 2014

    Your entire website is an excellent resource for teachers! Thank you for sharing your work:)

    Reply
  21. Nupur

     /  October 26, 2014

    This website is amazing and very helpful!!thank you so much. I am sure i’m going to do better with the help of these worksheets! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  22. Bhargavi

     /  September 5, 2014

    I’m not a native speaker of English and these idioms are a great help for me to learn the language. I aim to learn one new idiom a day, but I just get caught up in these worksheets since they’re so much fun! Thank you for all your efforts!

    Reply
  23. Teacher Barry

     /  July 10, 2014

    Excellent resources. Just what the doctor ordered. Thank you.

    Reply
  24. Merlo

     /  April 21, 2014

    thanks these are excellent worksheets helpful a lot.

    Reply
  25. ruby

     /  March 26, 2014

    excellent

    Reply
  26. Kiera

     /  December 5, 2013

    Are there answer sheets to all the worksheets?

    Reply
  27. Jennifer Kerr

     /  November 19, 2013

    I was moved from middle school to high school this year and am starting over with curriculum! Thanks for all the great materials!!!!!!

    Reply
  28. Denise Haydon

     /  November 9, 2013

    Thanks so much for sharing these worksheets. I needed something that my 5th grade students could use to help them figure out idioms in reading context and these are perfect.

    Reply
  29. Brenda

     /  November 7, 2013

    It will be nice, if it had the answers as well !! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  30. Yara

     /  September 29, 2013

    Perfect!! thanks a lot. A great help

    Reply
  31. Bharathy Shree

     /  April 22, 2013

    The worksheets are excellent and very apt for my grade level.Keep up the good work

    Reply
  32. Melinda Gamargo

     /  January 10, 2013

    Wow. I loved these worksheets!! Lots of learning in one 2-sided sheet. Great for teaching idioms AND context clues. Bravo.

    Reply
  33. Gary

     /  November 27, 2012

    I’ve bookmarked your site. You have my gratitude and admiration.

    Cheers,
    Gary

    Reply
  34. Sai Bun Kham

     /  November 16, 2012

    What should I write while every one says your website is fantastic. I would say ” you can say that again”. As I am in a preparation of TOEFL test, it would nice if you can find some of the TOEFL materials and post it. Thanks for your hard-work. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  35. Michelle

     /  October 12, 2012

    This website is great! It is so hard to find good handouts that are not too elementary for my high school students. I have passed this on to my colleagues. Everyone loves the idea that not only do you have printable worksheets, but also editable ones!

    Reply
  36. Minara

     /  August 14, 2012

    Your website is fantastic. I use your materials to teach my little brother. I really appreciate your hard work. I love your website. I am looking for parallel structure/sentence worksheet. I noticed, writing is easier when they know how to write a correct parallel structure sentence. Can you please post some parallel structure worksheet or email it to me?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • That’s awesome. I don’t have any such worksheet at this time, but thank you for the suggestion. I’d love to make such activities sometime in the future.

      Reply
  37. Tawfiq

     /  August 5, 2012

    Such a fantastic website … All of your worksheets did a great help to me … It would be so nice if you could provide the answer key too… Anwz, thank you for all ..

    Reply
  38. Ms. A

     /  May 20, 2012

    Thank you very much for posting all of these worksheets! I just began teaching English and suddenly am being attacked from every angle with new assessments for skills that students should have learned ages ago. Not only are these sheets a great way to test them before the test, but they prevent having to prepare a full lesson to refresh their memories. Also, they follow the rules of all of the workshops I have been attending which tell us not to hold students’ hands when doing this work. Thank you Mr. Morton!

    Reply
  39. joel machava

     /  April 9, 2012

    thank you for the data you throw to us. i didnt have any opinion of a worksheet before and i thought it to be hard to find. now i am in a good position to design my own for my students. thank you very much. keep doing so!….

    Reply
  40. beatrice

     /  April 3, 2012

    Do you have the answers to your worksheet? they are great but I am somtimes uncertain of the answers.

    Reply
  41. Thank you, I shall be trying these with a class later.

    πŸ™‚

    Reply
  42. Mike

     /  February 26, 2012

    I am an ESL teacher and these worksheets are great tools for my students. They are beginning to pick up the nuances of the English language and slang. Thanks!

    Reply
  43. Kathi

     /  February 18, 2012

    Your website is amazing! This year I was assigned 7th grade English, which I haven’t taught for 10 years. A lot of things have changed since then, and your website has helped me tremendously! I have even told my high school English teacher about your website. THANKS SO MUCH!!!

    Reply
  44. Ross

     /  February 2, 2012

    Wow, I am very impressed with this website! There are so many useful worksheets! Thank you so much for your hard work!

    Reply
  45. Brook

     /  January 23, 2012

    WOW! Great job on the worksheets. It was a nice surprise to foind something well done for classroom use…lots of useless garbage floating around out there.

    Reply
  46. Melissa

     /  December 8, 2011

    Are there any answer keys for the idiom worksheets? I LOVE this site btw!!!

    Reply
  47. Tara

     /  December 7, 2011

    Are there answer keys for the Idiom worksheets?

    Reply
  48. Gunn

     /  November 28, 2011

    YEA……this went over well with my students, now we are working on different cultures idioms…..thanx

    Reply
  49. All of your worksheets are excellent. So far above the usual cookie cutter fare found on most educational websites. Thanks you so much for sharing your time, effort and obvious skill level with us all.

    Reply
  50. Excellent!
    The worksheets are a great help.
    Just what I needed.
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Mr. Morton

       /  April 15, 2011

      Happy to hear it, Mr. Cannon. Thank you for taking the time to comment.

      Reply

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