Idioms and phrases

Written by Sara Ahmed (English)

MDCAT · English · 10 questions

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

What does the idiom BREAK THE ICE mean?
- A To end a friendship
- B To damage something
- C To start a conversation in an awkward situation
- D To feel very cold
A PIECE OF CAKE is something that is:
- A Very easy
- B Very sweet
- C Very costly
- D Very small
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON means:
- A At night only
- B Never
- C Very rarely
- D Every month
To SPILL THE BEANS is to:
- A Cook for many people
- B Make a mistake
- C Reveal a secret
- D Waste food
To HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD is to:
- A Work with tools
- B Cause an injury
- C Fail at a task
- D Be exactly right about something
To BURN THE MIDNIGHT OIL is to:
- A Waste fuel
- B Work or study late into the night
- C Wake up very early
- D Start a fire
If you are UNDER THE WEATHER, you are:
- A Late for work
- B Slightly unwell
- C Very happy
- D Out in the rain
Something that COSTS AN ARM AND A LEG is:
- A Very expensive
- B Painful
- C Dangerous
- D Free of charge
To BITE THE BULLET is to:
- A Run away
- B Face something unpleasant with courage
- C Eat quickly
- D Give up
When someone says THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT, they mean:
- A You have lost
- B It is your turn to make the next move or decision
- C You must pay for the game
- D You should play outside

Answer key

1. C, 2. A, 3. C, 4. C, 5. D, 6. B, 7. B, 8. A, 9. B, 10. B

It means to say or do something that makes people feel more relaxed and ready to talk.
If a task is a piece of cake, it is very easy to do.
It describes something that happens very seldom.
It means to let out secret information, usually by accident.
It means to describe a situation or problem in exactly the right way.
It means to keep working or studying late at night.
It means feeling a little ill or low in energy.
It means the price is extremely high.
It means to accept a difficult or painful situation and get on with it.
It means that the next step or the decision is now yours to make.