This is a free sample lesson from the 300+ English Idioms in 30 Days Course!
Join the course to get all 30 lessons like this.
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 |
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 | earning no money |
B | not having a good future |
C | being in a difficult situation |
Question 2 |
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 | finish |
C | become popular |
Question 3 |
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 | intelligent |
B | enthusiastic |
C | very young |
Question 4 |
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 | agree enthusiastically |
C | bargain for a better price |
Question 5 |
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 | aggressive and violent |
B | crazy |
C | courageous and strong |
Question 6 |
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 | to choose only specific items (the best parts) and ignore the rest |
C | have a positive attitude |
Question 7 |
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 enjoyable |
B | it's delicious |
C | it's very easy |
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 buy something |
B | to reveal secret information |
C | to help someone understand |
Question 9 |
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 talk too much about one topic |
B | to make a sad person feel even worse |
C | to help a sick person feel better |
Question 10 |
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 don't have a good social life |
B | I took on more responsibilities than I can handle |
C | I eat too much and don't exercise enough |
Question 11 |
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 12 |
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 | strong evidence |
B | historical data |
C | information worth considering |
Question 13 |
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 | it is impossible to lose |
B | you can be sure that something is true if it is tested |
C | they have a big advantage |
Question 14 |
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 | being very cautious so as not to upset or offend someone |
C | helping two people resolve a conflict |
Question 15 |
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 |
There are 15 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!
Video Explanation:
Idioms Course: Lesson 1 Practice Quiz
Start
Question 1 |
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 | in a pickle |
B | a sharp cookie |
C | cherry-picking |
Question 2 |
I started college studying psychology, but then I discovered it ___________ - so I switched to biology.
A | wasn't my cup of tea |
B | was food for thought |
C | rubbed salt in the wound |
Question 3 |
The first time I met my boyfriend's parents, I _____________ because I knew their political views were very different from mine.
A | bit off more than I could chew |
B | was walking on eggshells |
C | took it with a grain of salt |
Question 4 |
My efforts to eat healthier food are finally ___________ - I lost eight pounds this month.
A | a tough cookie |
B | icing on the cake |
C | bearing fruit |
Question 5 |
I didn't think I would enjoy the poetry reading, but I'm glad I went. It gave me a lot of ____________.
A | grains of salt |
B | pieces of cake |
C | food for thought |
Question 6 |
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 | cherry-pick |
B | spill the beans |
C | take it with a grain of salt |
Question 7 |
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'm walking on eggshells |
C | I've spilled the beans |
Question 8 |
How did the media find out about our company's secret new product?! One of our employees must have ____________.
A | walked on eggshells |
B | cherry-picked |
C | spilled the beans |
Question 9 |
Don't worry - you'll learn how to use this computer program in no time. It's _____________.
A | a piece of cake |
B | bearing fruit |
C | proof is in the pudding |
Question 10 |
My project was extremely successful - and getting interviewed on TV about it was ______________.
A | my cup of tea |
B | in a pickle |
C | the icing on the cake |
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!
