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About This Quiz
To help people understand a story or information, common phrases and idioms are oftentimes used to provide more emphasis or insight. For example, if you were stating that your friend was exhausted after running a marathon, you might say, "stick a fork in him, he's done," to underscore his exhaustion.ÂÂ
These phrases, sayings and idioms are so common that many of us don't even realize we're using them. And they spring from many different situations in everyday life, including many related to sports, food, animals and weather, to name a few. But it's not brain surgery to understand them.ÂÂ
From boxing, you get the idiom "throwing in the towel," which means to give up or surrender. From farmers purchasing horses and livestock, you get the saying "long in the tooth" to convey old age, because horses' teeth grow with age. Whether these common phrases came from daily life or early writings in France, England or elsewhere, they are now part of today's vernacular.ÂÂ
If you're someone who picks up phrases quickly and easily, you'll score big on this quiz. In fact, we bet you'll get a perfect score. Sure, it may be easy, but that doesn't mean you should look a gift horse in the mouth. Take it now and challenge yourself to a quiz that's easy as pie.ÂÂ
"Open a can of _______." What should go in the blank?
Sardines
Worms
If you open a can of worms, you're bringing into a conversation or situation different issues that are troublesome and complicated. Nothing to do with fishing!
Tuna
Beans
"The ________ before the storm." What word should be in the blank?
Clouds
Rain
Calm
"The calm before the storm" means a peaceful period of time before things get busier or more difficult. In weather, there usually is a lull in the wind before a storm hits.
Sunshine
"Two ________ in a _______." What should be in the blanks?
Rabbits and hutch
Pigs and blanket
Forks and dessert
Peas and pod
"Two peas in a pod" means that two people are very much alike. It seems like they must have grown up together with the same experiences.
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If you have a "chip on your shoulder," what does that mean?
You're angry.
Someone who has a chip on his or her shoulder is angry about something that happened in the past and won't let the feeling go. That person is holding a grudge.
You're hurt.
You're smart.
You're confused.
What does "a dime a dozen" mean?
That the object is very rare
That you need 12 of the item to complete the task
That the object is commonplace
When something is extremely common or simple to acquire you can use the phrase, "a dime a dozen" to convey the same meaning. Not even penny candy is that cheap.
That you're in a bakery and want a dozen bakery products
"A _____ and his _____ are soon parted." What words are missing?
A) Disobedient child and mother
B) Hockey player and puck
C) Fool and money
"A fool and his money are soon parted" means that someone who is foolish with their money can easily lose it due to carelessness or believing bad investment advice. Don't get scammed.
Both A and C.
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When you say something is or was "a piece of cake," what are you saying?
You're referring to a piece of cake.
You are saying a task was easy.
If it's "a piece of cake," the task is or was easy to accomplish. This phrase is similar to "as easy as pie."
You are saying you need extra frosting (or money) to do the task.
It was someone's birthday.
What's a "rainmaker"?
A) Someone who tries to cause rain to fall, by rituals or scientific techniques
B) A person who generates income for a business or organization
C) A person who plays drums in a band
D) Both A and B
There is more than one meaning for "rainmaker." Both cause a type of riches, as farmers need water to grow crops and corporations need money to grow dividends.
"An ________ and a _______." What should be in the blanks?
Arm and leg
If it costs you "an arm and a leg," it means whatever you are describing is either very expensive or the price that has to be paid is costly in another way.
Elephant and trainer
Octopus and tentacle
Oxen and yoke
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What is the meaning of "back to square one"?
You need an organizational chart with squares.
You need to start over again.
It means going back to the beginning. It's a popular saying that means a person has to start over, similar to "back to the drawing board."
You are playing hop-scotch.
You want to play a game of chess.
What other common saying means the same as "cut to the chase"?
Close but no cigar
Barking up the wrong tree
Bull in a china shop
Stop beating around the bush
"Cut to the chase" means that you need to get to the point of the conversation quickly and leave out the unnecessary details. It means the same thing as "stop beating around the bush."
What might be a similar meaning as the phrase, "between a rock and a hard place"?
Between getting eaten by a bear or a lion
"Between a rock and a hard place" means being faced with two difficult choices, or having a difficult decision. It can be used to describe a dilemma.
Between climbing down a small hill and jumping
Between eating steak or lobster
Between an older sibling and a younger one
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What does the common phrase "burst your bubble" mean?
When you blow bubble gum and it bursts
When you have a balloon and someone ruins it by popping it
When you blow a soap bubble and someone waves it away
When someone ruins your happy mood
"Bursting someone's bubble" means you are ruining someone's happy moment or mood. Generally you're telling them disappointing news or information.
Let's get into animal phrases! What does "sitting duck" mean?
Decoy
Someone in a vulnerable position
When a person or thing has no protection against an attack or other source of danger, they are a sitting duck. This was originally a hunting term, used to convey how easy it is to shoot ducks when they are sitting on the water, compared with when they are in flight.
Someone who sits on their porch all day
Someone who always orders fish at a restaurant
Curiosity killed what animal?
Dog
Bird
Monkey
Cat
Have you heard the phrase, "Curiosity killed the cat; satisfaction brought him back"? The phrase is used to warn of the dangers of unnecessary investigation or experimentation.
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What does it mean when someone says, "birds of a feather flock together"?
It means penguins like penguins.
It means your pillows should contain a single type of feather.
It means people associate with others who share the same views.
The saying means that people tend to associate with others who share similar views, interests and values. But be warned - that can lead a person to become close-minded and set in their ways.
It means the early bird gets the worm.
"You can't teach an old dog new tricks." What does that mean?
Old dogs refuse to learn new tricks.
Old dogs aren't smart enough to learn something new.
It's hard to teach something new to people who are set in their ways.
It's challenging to teach an older person (dog) something new, usually because that person has been doing the same task for so long that learning something new is difficult. Or they don't see anything wrong with the old way and would rather keep the status quo.
You're barking up the wrong tree.
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." What does that mean?
Exactly what it says - the horse could bite you.
Show appreciation for a gift.
Instead of looking for flaws in a gift, you should show appreciation. Don't be ungrateful.
Don't give a horse as a gift.
Horses should be ridden.
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If someone is "long in the tooth," what does that mean?
The person needs to see a dentist.
The person needs to whiten their teeth.
The person is old.
A horse's age can be determined by inspecting its teeth. Basically, the longer the teeth, the older the horse. Today, "long in the tooth" means old age. It is mainly used when referring to people or animals.
The person's tooth needs to be pulled.
What does "crocodile tears" mean?
Someone is expressing sorrow in an insincere way.
Crocodile tears (or superficial sympathy) is similar to fake tears of grief. While crocodiles do have tear ducts, they weep to lubricate their eyes when they have been out of water for a long time.
A crocodile is crying.
An alligator's ears are burning.
A crocodile is in pain.
Which phrase means the same as "like shooting fish in a barrel"?
A) Piece of cake
B) Like falling off of a log
C) Like stealing candy from a baby
D) All of the above.
All of these answers are correct. They all mean that the task at hand is an easy one to accomplish.
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If you describe a person as "happy as a clam at high tide," is the person happy?
Yes
Clams are most vulnerable when the tide is low because people can easily dig them up and eat them. In higher water, however, clams are difficult to find. Thus, the clam is happy at high tide because it has escaped being on the dinner menu!
No
Which phrase is the most similar to "I smell a rat"?
A) I have a sneaking suspicion.
B) Something smells fishy.
C) If you can't stand the heat
D) A and B
"I smell a rat" means something is suspicious or it is a stinky situation. Both A and B are correct.
Which phrase is most similar in meaning to "it's not rocket science"?
A) It's not brain surgery.
Both of the phrases mean something is easy, not complicated to accomplish, whereas both brain surgery and rocket science are indeed complicated. What about rocket surgery?
B) In the red
C) In a pickle
D) A and C
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What does "in a pickle" mean?
A) In an awkward situation
If you're in a pickle, you're in an awkward situation or in a rough spot. Here's an example: Joey ordered a pizza but was in a pickle when he realized he didn't have any money to pay for it.
B) In the midst of deciding
C) In a jar and can't get out
D) Both A and C
What does "the straw that broke the camel's back" mean?
The final irritation, after a series of affronts, that causes a large emotional reaction
A series of annoying occurrences eventually leads to one final thing that causes a person to lose their temper - that's the straw that breaks the camel's back. The ultimate reaction is out of proportion to the final small irritant itself.
That a camel can only carry so much weight
That a camel's hump contains more water than most people think
That you should quit while you're still ahead
"Throw in the _______." What word is missing from this common phrase?
Bear
Towel
The expression is "throw in the towel," and it means to quit the task before you complete it. It is believed to come from boxing, where the coach would literally throw a towel into the ring in order to signal that his fighter concedes.
Bouquet
Ring
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"Don't _______ the ________ unless you can walk the walk." What word should be in both blanks?
Gawk
Talk
This phrase implies that a person should back up their talking with action. Prove it by doing it, not just by talking about it.
Bike
Trek
Let's do a food phrase! What does "stick a fork in it" mean?
To fork over some money
To eat using a knife and fork
You are done.
This phrase means that someone or something is exhausted or finished. "Stick a fork in him, he's done!"
You are just starting your meal.
"What am I, chopped liver?" What does this phrase mean?
That you don't value my opinion
This is the complaint of someone who feels their opinion is being given less consideration than somebody else's. As comedian Rodney Dangerfield would have said, "I get no respect."
That you don't want to eat chopped liver
That you don't want to try something new
That you don't want to mentor someone
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If someone is "quitting cold turkey," what are they doing?
Quitting in incremental steps
Quitting eating turkey
Only saying they will quit, but not actually quitting
Quitting all at once, without incremental steps.
Quitting cold turkey involves stopping an unhealthy habit immediately, right then and there. There are no incremental steps involved.
What does it mean to "spill the beans"?
Make a stew
Make a chili
Make known a secret
"Spilling the beans" refers to someone who makes private information known. Here is an example: Jane spilled the beans about where you hid the mint chocolate chip cookies.
Make a new pitcher
What does it mean when someone tells you, "Don't cry over spilled milk"?
Don't cry, wipe it up.
Don't cry over something that's already happened.
This phrase means it is rather pointless to worry about things that have already happened. You are not able to change the outcome, even if you cry.
Don't cry, go get some more!
Don't cry, you can still make the recipe with cream.
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If it's "not your cup of tea," what are you actually trying to convey?
It is someone else's cup of tea.
I had a mug of coffee.
This is not to my liking.
If you don't like something, you might say, "it's not my cup of tea." For example: Pineapple on pizza is not my cup of tea.
Where is my green drink?
"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." What does this saying mean?
Lower the oven temperature so you can continue cooking.
Don't make others super hot by cooking in summer.
Let the heat out of the kitchen before you make the next course.
Don't let the heat and pressure of the situation get to you - calm down or leave instead.
If the circumstances of a situation are resulting in too much pressure for you to handle, you should probably leave. Otherwise, calm down!
You Got:
/35
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