Idiom Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.5.5.C

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Idioms are words and mostly phrases that are common everyday language that is not meant to be taken literally. They add a bit of flare to our writing and speech. The sheer genius behind the message of their use is that they allow you to delve into such an order of many different things in a few simple and well understood words. They also make the transfer of communication in some form of data fun and engaging. Idioms are rarely used by people that may be foreign to the language as a great deal of understanding of slang and culture is required for it to make sense to the listener. These commonly held do have a bit of cultural rooting in them, meaning that some idioms are more common in certain geographic areas. English definitely is not the only language to use idioms; they are common in all languages. The worksheets in this area help students learn some new idioms as well as their use within sentences.

Idiom Worksheets To Print:

What's The Meaning Of This? - Find the word and explain what it means, in context that is offered up to you. You may need to circle back over this.

Their Meaning - "Hitting the hay" and "icing on the cake" are well represented in literature too. See first if you understand what you need to do and then just go do it.

Common Expressions - Some of these sayings were new to me. Then again, some of these sentences are really long.

Sky Is the Limit - Biting off more than you can chew is how I would describe my life today. How is your day going?

Oldies, But Goodies! - Another identify and define activity. The message here is a bit extended.

Underline Them - See if you truly understand these sentences. Just throw in an underline where you feel it applies.

What's That Mean? - Determine the meaning of the idioms used in these sentences. Take your time not everything is clear to see.

Skipping Along - Read each sentence and write the meaning that feel best declares the intent of the writer that is behind this work.

Animal Idioms - Complete each idiom with the correct animal word. Animals need a great deal of care and attention.

Everyday Idioms - These are so common that you might miss them. The subjects and verbs do bounce around though.

More Animals - Insure you write the verbs in the correct form. It is best to reread along the way.

The Meaning of Sentences - Eating words always are open to a deep level interpretation. See where these go for you.

Fill in the Blanks - Focus on the word in the bracket and go from there. Real focus on it for the win.

Circling the Mat - Circle the Idioms in each of these sentences. This may ask more of you.

Eating and Food - Draw a line between the words on the left and match them with the words on the right.

What's it Mean? - Write what you think each highlighted idiom means. Take your time to come to an opinion.

Do It Again - Round 2 is up for you. It is all about looking for an expression that means something other than the literal meaning of its individual words.

Take 3 - We progress will a medium strength worksheet here. Your might need to push more vocabulary.

Again - We turn up the heat. These are a bit more difficult to understand.

One Last Time - One last review for you. Here is a worksheets for the road. There we go again!

Big List of IDIOMS - Choose the idiom that would provide good advice for the situation.

More of the Big List - I wish my kids, "Never bit the hand that feeds them." That is simple the understanding that they are missing.

The List Continues - I wonder who thought up "Water under the bridge."? What is the best advice that is offered?

Another One Of The Same - I'm pretty sure Romans aren't amused because this is very wordy.

The Biggest List - Stay positive we these even if you have a great deal of explaining to do.

More Related Topics:

Idioms, Adages, and Proverbs - This is a look back at time to sayings that are not meant to be taken literally, but do have a great deal of affect.

Literal and Nonliteral Meanings of Word and Phrases - This helps you understand the idea of reasonable expectations and those that are out there.

Word Meanings From Context - The focus here is to understand the surrounding environment of statements that are provided to best realize the goal behind meaning.

When to Use Idioms in Your Writing


The goal of using idioms should be to expand your reader's or listener's experience. Overuse of idioms can really clutter up any work and add just unnecessary thoughts. This is why their use comes with a sort of artist license that you need to know when to push and when to hold back. I would recommend that you use idioms in sections of your work where you want your reader to feel a hit of emotion. You may be developing a piece and you may be trying to get the reader to understand the intentions a character by saying, "Joe really wants to have a fun time tonight." Sure you have a general feeling for what Joe is hoping for, but a quick rework will change everything for you: "Joe is going to paint the town red tonight!" The reader can for sure know Joe is ready to go big.


Idioms also add a sense of humor to our work. They often make people chuckle. Laughter is almost always the best medicine for just about whatever. I had a student writing a story about a customer complaining about an item they bought from a store. He initially wrote a sentence similar to, "Jacob was furious with the company's response and wrote a serious letter to company." I told the student to try incorporating an idiom, since this was the focus of his story. He came back with the sentence, "Jacob penned a letter that was intended to burn the company to the ground!" While a bit extreme, I can appreciate his effort on that change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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