You’re looking at an
idioms worksheet designed to help learners understand common English idioms — phrases that don’t mean what they literally say. The task is to “Guess the meaning of each idiom.”
Here’s a breakdown of each idiom with its
meaning, explained simply:
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📚 Idioms & Their Meanings
1.
Saved by the bell
→ *Meaning:* Escaped a difficult or unpleasant situation just in time.
→ *Example:* “I was about to fail the test, but I finished the last question just as time ran out — saved by the bell!”
2.
Back to the drawing board
→ *Meaning:* Start over because the original plan didn’t work.
→ *Example:* “Our first design failed — back to the drawing board.”
3.
On the same page
→ *Meaning:* Agreeing or understanding something in the same way.
→ *Example:* “Let’s make sure we’re all on the same page before the meeting.”
4.
Smell a rat
→ *Meaning:* Suspect something is wrong or dishonest.
→ *Example:* “He offered me too much money — I smell a rat.”
5.
Eats like a bird
→ *Meaning:* Eats very little. (Despite birds actually eating quite a lot!)
→ *Example:* “She only had a salad for dinner — eats like a bird.”
6.
A piece of cake
→ *Meaning:* Something very easy to do.
→ *Example:* “The math test? That was a piece of cake!”
7.
On top of the world
→ *Meaning:* Feeling extremely happy or successful.
→ *Example:* “After winning the award, she felt on top of the world.”
8.
When pigs fly
→ *Meaning:* Something that will never happen.
→ *Example:* “He’ll clean his room when pigs fly.”
9.
In hot water
→ *Meaning:* In trouble or difficulty.
→ *Example:* “He got in hot water for turning in his homework late.”
10.
Butterflies in my stomach
→ *Meaning:* Nervousness or excitement, especially before something important.
→ *Example:* “I had butterflies in my stomach before my piano recital.”
11.
Raining cats and dogs
→ *Meaning:* Raining very heavily.
→ *Example:* “Don’t go outside — it’s raining cats and dogs!”
12.
To let the cat out of the bag
→ *Meaning:* To reveal a secret accidentally.
→ *Example:* “He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”
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✔ How to Use This Worksheet:
- Read each idiom aloud.
- Think: “What could this mean if it’s not literal?”
- Match it to a real-life situation.
- Discuss with a partner or write your own example sentence.
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💡 Extra Tip:
The bottom note says:
“Search for other idioms in books.”
This encourages you to look for idioms while reading — you’ll find them everywhere! For example:
> “He kicked the bucket” = He died.
> “Break a leg” = Good luck (especially in theater).
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✔ Final Answer:
Each idiom has a figurative meaning that differs from its literal words. Understanding them helps you speak and understand natural, everyday English!
Let me know if you want printable flashcards or matching games for these idioms! 😊
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of idiom worksheet can you guess.
