Common English Idioms (Part 3)

An idiom is a word or phrase with a meaning that is different from the actual words. Read the example sentences in the quiz and then choose the best answer for the meaning of each idiom. Good luck!

Common English Idioms Quiz 3

Please wait while the activity loads.
If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser. Also, this page requires javascript. Please visit using a browser with javascript enabled.

If loading fails, click here to try again

Congratulations - you have completed Common English Idioms Quiz 3. You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%. Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%

Your answers are highlighted below.

Question 1

"Of course we can drive to New York - we just need to get your brother to lend us his car for the weekend."

"Easier said than done! He doesn't even let his wife drive it."

easier said than done = ____________________

A	easier to do something than to explain it
B	not as easy as it appears to be
C	this person is difficult to get along with

Question 2

The furniture from that store costs an arm and a leg! $10,000 for a couch is ridiculous!

costs an arm and a leg = ____________________

A	is very expensive
B	is very heavy
C	is difficult to put together

Question 3

"So, are you going to take the new job or not?"

"I'm not sure. I'll have to sleep on it."

sleep on it = ____________________

A	fall asleep on the job
B	think about something for a while before making a decision
C	get enough rest before starting something new

Question 4

My husband worked a 16-hour day. He's down for the count.

down for the count = ____________________

A	completely exhausted
B	counting the hours
C	downstairs

Question 4 Explanation:

This expression comes from boxing. If one boxer stays down on the floor while the official counts up to 10, he loses the match.

Question 5

This morning, I hit a car in the company parking lot. To add insult to injury, it was my boss' car. to add insult to injury = ____________________

A	to make a bad situation worse
B	to hurt a person
C	to have a traffic accident

Question 6

"Are you sure Brad is leaving the company?"

"I know it's true! I heard it straight from the horse's mouth!"

hear it straight from the horse's mouth = ____________________

A	to discover that a person has been fired from his/her job
B	to find out a person loves animals
C	to get information from a reliable source

Question 7

Last semester, I was taking 10 classes, working part-time, playing on the volleyball team, and volunteering at the animal shelter. I think I bit off more than I could chew.

bite off more than you can chew = ____________________

A	eat more than you should
B	take responsibility for more than you can manage
C	feel very stressed

Question 8

The doctor says I have to take it easy for a few weeks after the surgery.

take it easy = ____________________

A	rest, relax
B	take a little medicine
C	do easy work

Question 9

Can I borrow $20 for gas money? I'm broke.

broke = ____________________

A	to have a broken car
B	to have no money
C	to have no gas

Question 10

I should have gone to the optional training session - everyone who went said it was really useful for their jobs! I sure missed the boat on that one.

miss the boat = ____________________