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 |
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 2 |
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 | bargain for a better price |
B | not believe it to be completely true or correct |
C | agree enthusiastically |
Question 3 |
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 | earning no money |
C | being in a difficult situation |
Question 4 |
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 make a sad person feel even worse |
C | to talk too much about one topic |
Question 5 |
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 | to choose only specific items (the best parts) and ignore the rest |
B | have a positive attitude |
C | write about very recent events without considering the history |
Question 6 |
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 7 |
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 eat too much and don't exercise enough |
B | I took on more responsibilities than I can handle |
C | I don't have a good social life |
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 buy something |
C | to help someone understand |
Question 9 |
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 10 |
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 | a perfect opportunity to have fun |
C | an additional benefit to something that is already good |
Question 11 |
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 | historical data |
B | strong evidence |
C | information worth considering |
Question 12 |
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 | very young |
B | intelligent |
C | enthusiastic |
Question 13 |
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 | you don't like it very much |
C | it makes your stomach hurt |
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 | helping two people resolve a conflict |
C | being very cautious so as not to upset or offend someone |
Question 15 |
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 | they have a big advantage |
B | it is impossible to lose |
C | you can be sure that something is true if it is tested |
There are 15 questions to complete.
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Video Explanation:
Idioms Course: Lesson 1 Practice Quiz
Start
Question 1 |
I started college studying psychology, but then I discovered it ___________ - so I switched to biology.
A | rubbed salt in the wound |
B | wasn't my cup of tea |
C | was food for thought |
Question 2 |
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 |
Question 3 |
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 4 |
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 | cherry-pick |
C | spill the beans |
Question 5 |
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 | bit off more than I could chew |
C | was walking on eggshells |
Question 6 |
Don't worry - you'll learn how to use this computer program in no time. It's _____________.
A | proof is in the pudding |
B | bearing fruit |
C | a piece of cake |
Question 7 |
My efforts to eat healthier food are finally ___________ - I lost eight pounds this month.
A | bearing fruit |
B | a tough cookie |
C | icing on the cake |
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 | a sharp cookie |
B | cherry-picking |
C | in a pickle |
Question 9 |
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 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'm walking on eggshells |
B | I've spilled the beans |
C | I've bitten off more than I can chew |
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!
