Students are often required to identify idioms on state tests, but what are idioms? It’s hard to define them. Idioms are one of the more elusive parts of figurative language. This is because idioms are made from other figurative language techniques (like simile, metaphor, or hyperbole). Â
For example, let’s look at the idiom “He’s running out of steam.” This is a metaphor that compares “him” to a steam engine, but it’s also an idiom. What separates idioms from other figurative language techniques is that people use idioms a lot. In other words, idioms are just cliched figurative expressions. Â To complicate matters, many students have not been exposed to a lot of these dated expressions. Â Most of today’s students do not understand the origins of the phrase “hang up the phone” yet alone the idiom “bought the farm.” The best way to prepare students is to expose them to a wide range of idioms. This page contains tests, worksheets, and interactive activities to help your students master idioms.
Idiom Test 1 – This idiom test will help you evaluate how well your students can determine the meaning of idioms based on context. 15 multiple choice questions.
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Idiom Test 2 – Here’s another idiom test with 15 multiple choice questions. This one is a bit harder than the other one, so level accordingly.
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Idiom Worksheet – 15 commonly used expressions with which students may not be too familiar. Â Students read each idiom and, based on the context of the sentence, determine the meaning of the expression.
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Idiom Worksheet 2 – Give your students more exposure to idiomatic phrases. Â This worksheet contains 15 more idioms. Â Students determine the meaning of each expression based on the context.
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Idiom Worksheet 3 – Another 15 examples of commonly used idioms. Â Students will gain exposure to idioms while determining their meaning based on the context of each sentence. Â Great practice.
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Idiom Worksheet 4 – Here are 15 more common idioms used in sentences. Students read each sentence and attempt to determine the meaning of the idiom based on its context.
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Idiom Worksheet 5 – Still looking for idiom worksheets? Here are 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.
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Idiom Worksheet 6 – Here is another idiom worksheet. 15 more problems with commonly used idioms bolded. Determine the meaning based on the context and explain your answer.
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Idiom Worksheet 7 – One more idiom worksheet to give students the practice that they need. Idioms are used in context rich sentences. Students determine the meaning of each idiom and explain their answers. This one is a little bit harder than some of the others.
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Common Core State Standards Related to Idiom
Expand to View All Common Core State Standards Related to IdiomCCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.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.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.5 – Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
ELA Standards: Literature
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4 – Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.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).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.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.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.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.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.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.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.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.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.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).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.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.)
ELA Standards: Language
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.5 – Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5a – Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5b – Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5a – Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.5b – Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.9-10.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze their role in the text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.11-12.5a – Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.
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