Idioms Matching Activity for 3rd-5th Grade (teacher made) - Free Printable

Let’s match each idiom with its correct non-literal meaning. We’ll go one by one and think about what each phrase really means in everyday use.

1. It costs an arm and a leg!
→ This doesn’t mean you literally lose body parts — it means something is very expensive.
✔ Match: *It’s very expensive.*

2. Break a leg!
→ You don’t actually want someone to break their leg! It’s said to wish them good luck, especially before a performance.
✔ Match: *Good luck!*

3. I’m going to hit the sack.
→ “Hit the sack” = go to bed (sack = old word for bed).
✔ Match: *I’m going to go to bed.*

4. It’s a piece of cake.
→ Not about dessert — means something is very easy.
✔ Match: *It’s very easy.*

5. I’m all bent out of shape!
→ Means you’re upset or angry about something.
✔ Match: *I’m upset.*

6. Hang in there!
→ Encouragement to not give up when things are hard.
✔ Match: *Don’t give up!*

7. I’ve let the cat out of the bag!
→ Means you told a secret by accident.
✔ Match: *I’ve told a secret by mistake.*

8. He’s off his rocker!
→ Doesn’t mean he fell off furniture — means he’s acting crazy or irrational.
✔ Match: *He’s crazy!*

9. I’m on the fence.
→ Not sitting on a real fence — means you can’t decide what to do.
✔ Match: *I’m not sure what to do.*

10. It’s raining cats and dogs.
→ Heavy rain — not actual animals falling from sky!
✔ Match: *It was very unpleasant.* (Note: While “heavy rain” isn’t listed, “very unpleasant” fits best among options since heavy rain often makes things unpleasant.)

Wait — let’s double-check that last one. Looking at the right column again:

The option says: *“It was very unpleasant.”* — yes, that’s the closest match for “raining cats and dogs,” because heavy rain usually makes outdoor activities unpleasant.

Now let’s list all matches clearly:

- It costs an arm and a leg! → It’s very expensive.
- Break a leg! → Good luck!
- I’m going to hit the sack. → I’m going to go to bed.
- It’s a piece of cake. → It’s very easy.
- I’m all bent out of shape! → I’m upset.
- Hang in there! → Don’t give up!
- I’ve let the cat out of the bag! → I’ve told a secret by mistake.
- He’s off his rocker! → He’s crazy!
- I’m on the fence. → I’m not sure what to do.
- It’s raining cats and dogs. → It was very unpleasant.

All matched correctly!

Final Answer:
It costs an arm and a leg! — It’s very expensive.
Break a leg! — Good luck!
I’m going to hit the sack. — I’m going to go to bed.
It’s a piece of cake. — It’s very easy.
I’m all bent out of shape! — I’m upset.
Hang in there! — Don’t give up!
I’ve let the cat out of the bag! — I’ve told a secret by mistake.
He’s off his rocker! — He’s crazy!
I’m on the fence. — I’m not sure what to do.
It’s raining cats and dogs. — It was very unpleasant.