This is a free sample lesson from the 300+ English Idioms in 30 Days Course!
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How to take this lesson:
- Take the introductory quiz
- Watch the video explanation
- Take the practice quiz
- Try the speaking / writing exercises
Idioms Course: Lesson 1 Introductory Quiz
Guess the correct meaning of each idiom from the context. It's OK if you get a lot of answers incorrect - the important part is to do your best in trying to figure it out!
Start
Question 1 |
My cousin gave me a free plane ticket to Hawaii, and my boss gave me two weeks off to travel. I just found out my favorite band is doing a show in Hawaii at the same time I'll be there - that's just the icing on the cake!
If something is "the icing on the cake," it is...
A | an unexpected coincidence |
B | an additional benefit to something that is already good |
C | a perfect opportunity to have fun |
Question 2 |
I'm currently taking 6 college courses in addition to working full-time. That means I'm busy every day from 6 AM to 11 PM, and I'm getting behind on my schoolwork. I think I bit off more than I could chew this semester.
"I bit off more than I could chew" means...
A | I took on more responsibilities than I can handle |
B | I don't have a good social life |
C | I eat too much and don't exercise enough |
Question 3 |
My friends went to the art museum, but I decided to come to the beach instead. Contemplating paintings for hours is not really my cup of tea.
If something is "not your cup of tea,"...
A | you've never done it before |
B | it makes your stomach hurt |
C | you don't like it very much |
Question 4 |
That math test was a piece of cake. I didn't even study and I bet I got every question right.
If something is "a piece of cake," it means...
A | it's very easy |
B | it's enjoyable |
C | it's delicious |
Question 5 |
My best friend dated my brother for five years. They just split up two weeks ago - it was a bad breakup, and now I'm walking on eggshells around both of them.
"Walking on eggshells" means:
A | trying to make depressed people feel better |
B | helping two people resolve a conflict |
C | being very cautious so as not to upset or offend someone |
Question 6 |
My 3-year-old daughter already knows how to use the computer. She's one sharp cookie!
Describing someone as a "sharp cookie" means the person is...
A | enthusiastic |
B | very young |
C | intelligent |
Question 7 |
When the salesman starts talking about how buying an expensive new car will make your life really great, you should take it with a grain of salt.
"Take it with a grain of salt" means...
A | not believe it to be completely true or correct |
B | bargain for a better price |
C | agree enthusiastically |
Question 8 |
Diana kept pressuring Bill to tell her how much he paid for the engagement ring, but he refused to spill the beans.
To "spill the beans" means...
A | to reveal secret information |
B | to help someone understand |
C | to buy something |
Question 9 |
That book was written 50 years ago, but it's still very applicable today. You should read it - it definitely provides some food for thought.
"Food for thought" is...
A | information worth considering |
B | historical data |
C | strong evidence |
Question 10 |
Our company needs to pay back a loan from the bank, but business has been slow. If we don't get more customers by the end of the year, we'll really be in a pickle.
Being "in a pickle" means...
A | not having a good future |
B | being in a difficult situation |
C | earning no money |
Question 11 |
The Yankees are the best baseball team of all time. The proof is in the pudding - they've won more championships than any sports franchise in history.
"The proof is in the pudding" means...
A | you can be sure that something is true if it is tested |
B | they have a big advantage |
C | it is impossible to lose |
Question 12 |
I was sick and couldn't go to the party. Don't rub salt in the wound by telling me how great it was.
To "rub salt in the wound" means...
A | to help a sick person feel better |
B | to talk too much about one topic |
C | to make a sad person feel even worse |
Question 13 |
I don't trust that newspaper. Their reporting isn't very balanced; they tend to cherry-pick the information in favor of one particular political party.
To "cherry-pick" means...
A | write about very recent events without considering the history |
B | have a positive attitude |
C | to choose only specific items (the best parts) and ignore the rest |
Question 14 |
Changing a country's trajectory takes time - the economic policies enacted three years ago are just now beginning to bear fruit.
To "bear fruit" means...
A | produce successful results |
B | become popular |
C | finish |
Question 15 |
Did you hear about the grandmother who chased a robber out of her house with a kitchen knife? What a tough cookie!
Describing someone as a "tough cookie" means the person is...
A | crazy |
B | courageous and strong |
C | aggressive and violent |
There are 15 questions to complete.
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Video Explanation:
Idioms Course: Lesson 1 Practice Quiz
Start
Question 1 |
How did the media find out about our company's secret new product?! One of our employees must have ____________.
A | cherry-picked |
B | walked on eggshells |
C | spilled the beans |
Question 2 |
I didn't think I would enjoy the poetry reading, but I'm glad I went. It gave me a lot of ____________.
A | food for thought |
B | pieces of cake |
C | grains of salt |
Question 3 |
My efforts to eat healthier food are finally ___________ - I lost eight pounds this month.
A | icing on the cake |
B | bearing fruit |
C | a tough cookie |
Question 4 |
I started college studying psychology, but then I discovered it ___________ - so I switched to biology.
A | wasn't my cup of tea |
B | rubbed salt in the wound |
C | was food for thought |
Question 5 |
You can't just ___________ the statistics that are in line with your viewpoint. There are a lot of studies that support the opposite view.
A | take it with a grain of salt |
B | spill the beans |
C | cherry-pick |
Question 6 |
My project was extremely successful - and getting interviewed on TV about it was ______________.
A | the icing on the cake |
B | my cup of tea |
C | in a pickle |
Question 7 |
The first time I met my boyfriend's parents, I _____________ because I knew their political views were very different from mine.
A | took it with a grain of salt |
B | was walking on eggshells |
C | bit off more than I could chew |
Question 8 |
I bought my mother-in-law an expensive box of chocolates for her birthday, but I just found out she's on a diet. All the stores are closed and her birthday is tomorrow. I'm really ____________.
A | cherry-picking |
B | in a pickle |
C | a sharp cookie |
Question 9 |
Don't worry - you'll learn how to use this computer program in no time. It's _____________.
A | bearing fruit |
B | proof is in the pudding |
C | a piece of cake |
Question 10 |
I shouldn't have volunteered to help organize the company's Christmas party on top of all my other work. It's a big ordeal and I feel like ________________.
A | I've bitten off more than I can chew |
B | I've spilled the beans |
C | I'm walking on eggshells |
There are 10 questions to complete.
You have completed
questions
question
Your score is
Correct
Wrong
Partial-Credit
You have not finished your quiz. If you leave this page, your progress will be lost.
Correct Answer
You Selected
Not Attempted
Final Score on Quiz
Attempted Questions Correct
Attempted Questions Wrong
Questions Not Attempted
Total Questions on Quiz
Question Details
Results
Date
Score
Hint
Time allowed
minutes
seconds
Time used
Answer Choice(s) Selected
Question Text
All done
Need more practice!
Keep trying!
Not bad!
Good work!
Perfect!
Short-Answer Exercises
2-3 sentences each. Try to use each idiom in your answer.
1) Describe a situation when you were “walking on eggshells”
2) Have you ever bitten off more than you could chew? What happened?
3) What are some things that are not your cup of tea?
4) Do you know someone who’s a sharp cookie? How about a tough cookie? Describe these people.
5) When was the last time you were in a pickle?
Join the course to get teacher feedback on your answers!
