Idioms Worksheets - Free Printable

Let's solve the "Animal Idioms" worksheet step by step.

---

Task:

Match each idiom to its correct meaning.

We have 10 idioms on the left and 10 meanings on the right. We need to match them correctly.

---

Idioms and Their Meanings:

Let’s go through each one:

---

1. raining cats and dogs
→ This is a common idiom meaning it's raining very heavily.
✔ Answer: b. to be out of place — No, that’s not right.
Wait — let’s look at the options again.

Actually, "raining cats and dogs" means heavy rain, but that’s not listed directly. Let’s check the meanings:

a. to pretend to be upset
b. to be out of place
c. a short sleep
d. a clumsy person
e. pouring
f. be patient
g. tell a secret
h. to ask the wrong person
i. something that will probably never happen
j. an unknown person in a family

Ah! "Pouring" (e) matches "raining cats and dogs" — because it describes heavy rain.

✔ So, 1 → e. pouring

---

2. hold your horses
This means to wait or be patient.
So, matching with: f. be patient

✔ 2 → f. be patient

---

3. to cry crocodile tears
This means to pretend to be sad or upset when you’re not really.
So, a. to pretend to be upset

✔ 3 → a. to pretend to be upset

---

4. when pigs fly
This is an idiom meaning something that will never happen.
So, i. something that will probably never happen

✔ 4 → i. something that will probably never happen

---

5. let the cat out of the bag
This means to reveal a secret.
So, g. tell a secret

✔ 5 → g. tell a secret

---

6. to bark up the wrong tree
This means to accuse the wrong person or pursue a mistaken idea.
So, h. to ask the wrong person

✔ 6 → h. to ask the wrong person

---

7. the black sheep
This refers to a member of a group (often a family) who is considered different or disreputable.
So, j. an unknown person in a family — wait, that doesn’t quite fit.

But “an unknown person in a family” isn't quite right. The black sheep is usually a person who stands out negatively, not necessarily unknown.

But looking at the choices, j. an unknown person in a family — that’s not accurate.

Wait — perhaps there’s a mistake?

Actually, “black sheep” means someone who is seen as different or bad within a group (like a family), so it's not unknown, but rather disgraceful or different.

But among the options, j says “an unknown person in a family” — that’s incorrect.

Hmm. Let’s double-check all meanings.

Wait — maybe j is meant to be “a person who is different or unpopular in a family” — but it says “unknown.”

That might be a typo or mislabeling.

But let’s see if any other option fits better.

Alternatively, maybe the intended answer is j, assuming it means “a strange or bad person in a family.”

But that’s not quite right.

Wait — actually, “the black sheep” is often used in families, so j might be trying to say that, but the wording is off.

But since no better option exists, and “black sheep” refers to a person in a family who is different or disapproved of, perhaps j is the best choice despite the wording.

But let’s hold off and continue.

---

8. bull in a china shop
This means a person who is clumsy or disruptive in a delicate situation.
So, d. a clumsy person

✔ 8 → d. a clumsy person

---

9. cat nap
A short sleep.
So, c. a short sleep

✔ 9 → c. a short sleep

---

10. a fish out of water
This means someone who is uncomfortable or out of place in a certain environment.
So, b. to be out of place

✔ 10 → b. to be out of place

---

Now back to #7: the black sheep

The only remaining meaning is j. an unknown person in a family — but that’s not accurate.

Wait — let’s list what we’ve used so far:

Used:
- e – pouring → 1
- f – be patient → 2
- a – pretend to be upset → 3
- i – something that will never happen → 4
- g – tell a secret → 5
- h – ask the wrong person → 6
- d – clumsy person → 8
- c – short sleep → 9
- b – out of place → 10

Left: j. an unknown person in a family

And unused idiom: 7. the black sheep

So even though the meaning is slightly off, "the black sheep" is typically associated with a family, and is not well-known or respected, but not literally “unknown.”

But since j is the only one left, and the others are taken, we must assign j to 7.

Perhaps the worksheet has a slight error in wording.

Alternatively, maybe “unknown” was meant to be “unacceptable” or “different,” but as written, we go with what’s given.

So:

✔ 7 → j. an unknown person in a family

Even though it’s not perfect, it’s the only one left.

---

✔ Final Answers:

| Idiom | Meaning |
|-------|--------|
| 1. raining cats and dogs | e. pouring |
| 2. hold your horses | f. be patient |
| 3. to cry crocodile tears | a. to pretend to be upset |
| 4. when pigs fly | i. something that will probably never happen |
| 5. let the cat out of the bag | g. tell a secret |
| 6. to bark up the wrong tree | h. to ask the wrong person |
| 7. the black sheep | j. an unknown person in a family |
| 8. bull in a china shop | d. a clumsy person |
| 9. cat nap | c. a short sleep |
| 10. a fish out of water | b. to be out of place |

---

🔍 Explanation of Key Idioms:

- Raining cats and dogs: Heavy rain.
- Hold your horses: Wait a moment; be patient.
- Cry crocodile tears: Fake sadness.
- When pigs fly: Something impossible.
- Let the cat out of the bag: Reveal a secret.
- Bark up the wrong tree: Accuse the wrong person.
- The black sheep: A disreputable or different member of a family.
- Bull in a china shop: Clumsy person in a delicate setting.
- Cat nap: A short sleep.
- Fish out of water: Someone out of their element.

---

✔ Final Answer (for filling in the blanks):

1. e
2. f
3. a
4. i
5. g
6. h
7. j
8. d
9. c
10. b

---

Let me know if you'd like this formatted for printing or as a completed worksheet!