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Idioms worksheet for students to translate figurative phrases into literal meanings.

Worksheet titled "Idioms" with instructions to translate idioms into literal language, featuring 10 example sentences for translation practice.

Worksheet titled "Idioms" with instructions to translate idioms into literal language, featuring 10 example sentences for translation practice.

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Let's solve the idiom worksheet step by step. The task is to translate each idiom into literal language — that means explaining what the idiom *actually means* in plain, everyday words.

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1. Jonathan has finally got a taste of his own medicine.



Literal meaning:
Jonathan has experienced the same unpleasant treatment or consequences that he used to give to others.

> Explanation: "Taste of his own medicine" means someone is now suffering the same thing they caused for others.

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2. Fiona gave me the cold shoulder all day.



Literal meaning:
Fiona ignored me or treated me unfriendly and distant all day.

> Explanation: "Cold shoulder" means deliberately ignoring or being rude to someone.

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3. We spent the afternoon on a wild goose chase.



Literal meaning:
We wasted our time searching for something that didn't exist or couldn't be found.

> Explanation: A "wild goose chase" is a pointless or fruitless search.

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4. Hank quit his job. He has bigger fish to fry.



Literal meaning:
Hank left his job because he has more important things to focus on.

> Explanation: "Bigger fish to fry" means having more important matters to deal with.

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5. My father says I'm a chip off the old block.



Literal meaning:
My father says I am very similar to him in personality or behavior.

> Explanation: "Chip off the old block" means someone who resembles their parent in character or traits.

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6. I wish I'd never asked. Ignorance was bliss.



Literal meaning:
I’m glad I didn’t know the truth because not knowing made me happier.

> Explanation: "Ignorance was bliss" means it’s better not to know something painful or troubling.

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7. The reporter hit the nail on the head with that article.



Literal meaning:
The reporter accurately described the situation or problem exactly right.

> Explanation: "Hit the nail on the head" means to be perfectly correct or accurate.

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8. Dylan said I was rude, and I told him it takes one to know one.



Literal meaning:
I told Dylan that since he’s also rude, he’s qualified to judge me.

> Explanation: "It takes one to know one" means you can only recognize a trait in others if you have it yourself.

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9. There was nothing to say at that point except, “Live and learn.”



Literal meaning:
We had to accept the mistake as a learning experience and move on.

> Explanation: "Live and learn" means gaining wisdom from experience, especially from mistakes.

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10. Be careful. You’re already on thin ice with Mom.



Literal meaning:
Be cautious — you're already in a risky situation where Mom might get angry or upset easily.

> Explanation: "On thin ice" means being in a delicate or dangerous situation where you could lose someone's trust or approval.

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Final Answers (Translated Idioms):



1. Jonathan finally experienced the same negative treatment he gave to others.
2. Fiona ignored me and was unfriendly all day.
3. We wasted our time searching for something that wasn’t real or couldn’t be found.
4. Hank left his job because he has more important things to do.
5. My father says I’m just like him in personality or behavior.
6. I’m happy I didn’t know the truth because not knowing made me happier.
7. The reporter accurately described the situation perfectly.
8. I told Dylan that since he’s also rude, he’s qualified to judge me.
9. We had to accept the mistake as a lesson learned.
10. Be careful — you’re already in a risky situation with Mom.

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This worksheet helps students understand how idioms convey meaning beyond the literal words, which is essential for fluent English comprehension.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of idioms worksheet pdf.
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