Common English Idioms (Part 1)

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

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Question 1

"Do you like to ski?"

"I do, but I only go once in a blue moon because it's so expensive."

once in a blue moon = ____________________

A	once in a while, not frequently
B	when the moon is visible at night
C	one time every year

Question 2

Kristen has a short fuse. Yesterday she yelled at me for an hour just because I didn't answer her phone call right away!

has a short fuse = _________________

A	gets angry easily
B	is not very tall
C	has a difficult personality

Question 3

I can't carry all these books. Can you lend me a hand?

lend a hand = ___________________-

A	raise your hand
B	help
C	carry something

Question 3 Explanation:

In this specific case, the speaker is asking a friend to carry the books. However, "lend a hand" means "to help" in general - maybe with carrying, maybe with building, maybe with assembling a computer, etc.

Question 4

Richard broke the living room window while he was playing ball inside the house. He's going to be in hot water when his mother comes home!

be in hot water = __________________

A	take a shower
B	have to explain
C	be in trouble

Question 5

I'm giving a presentation to 500 people at the conference next month. I already have butterflies in my stomach!

have butterflies in (my/his/her) stomach = __________________________

A	to have a stomachache
B	to be fat
C	to be nervous

Question 6

Bob loves his iPhone; he has it with him 24/7.

24/7 = _________________

A	all the time
B	24 times a day
C	7 hours per week

Question 6 Explanation:

24 hours per day, 7 days per week = all the time, constantly!

Question 7

My girlfriend took me to a dance class, even though I've never danced in my life. I felt like a fish out of water.

like a fish out of water = _______________________

A	out of place
B	nervous about swimming
C	embarrassed

Question 8

I use Facebook and Skype to keep in touch with my relatives who live in another country.

keep in touch = ______________________

A	give a hug
B	stay in contact
C	send e-mails and photos

Question 9

My brother-in-law and I don't see eye to eye on politics. He believes in a big government with lots of laws, and I support less government interference in citizens' lives.

see eye to eye = _____________________