Animal Idioms worksheet for matching idioms to their meanings.

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

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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.

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Idioms and Their Meanings:

Let’s go through each one:

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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

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

✔ 2 → f. be patient

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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

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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

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

✔ 5 → g. tell a secret

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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

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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 — Hmm, not quite.
"Black sheep" is someone who stands out negatively, but not necessarily "unknown."

Wait — option j says: an unknown person in a family — that doesn’t fit.

But let’s re-express: "black sheep" = someone who is different or causes shame in a family.

But none of the meanings say “someone who is different” or “shameful.”

Wait — perhaps j is meant to be “a person who is different in a family”?

But as written: "an unknown person in a family" — that’s not accurate.

But maybe there's a typo? Let’s double-check.

Alternatively, could "the black sheep" be matched with j? Probably not.

Wait — maybe "the black sheep" is intended to be matched with j, even if slightly off.

But let’s see what else fits.

Wait — perhaps j is actually meant to be “a person who doesn't fit in a family” — but it says “unknown.”

Hmm.

Let’s look at other options.

Is there another idiom that might use j?

No — let’s keep going.

Maybe we can come back.

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8. bull in a china shop
This means a person who behaves clumsily in a delicate situation.
So, d. a clumsy person

✔ 8 → d. a clumsy person

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9. cat nap
A short sleep — like a cat sleeping briefly.
So, c. a short sleep

✔ 9 → c. a short sleep

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

✔ 10 → b. to be out of place

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Now, let’s go back to #7: The black sheep

We have:
- 7. The black sheep
- Meaning: j. an unknown person in a family

But that’s not accurate.

“Black sheep” refers to a person in a family who is considered different, often in a negative way — not “unknown.”

But among all the meanings, j is the only one left.

Let’s list all matches so far:

| Idiom | Match |
|-------|-------|
| 1. raining cats and dogs | e. pouring ✔ |
| 2. hold your horses | f. be patient ✔ |
| 3. cry crocodile tears | a. 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. bark up the wrong tree | h. to ask the wrong person ✔ |
| 7. the black sheep | ? |
| 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 ✔ |

Now, remaining meaning: j. an unknown person in a family

And remaining idiom: 7. the black sheep

Even though “black sheep” isn’t literally “unknown,” it’s likely that j is intended to mean “a person who doesn’t fit in a family” — possibly a misworded version.

In some contexts, “black sheep” is someone who is not accepted or different, which might be interpreted as “unknown” in a figurative sense.

But more accurately, "black sheep" is a known person, just a problematic one.

Wait — perhaps there's a mistake in the worksheet?

Alternatively, maybe j is supposed to be “a person who is different in a family”?

But based on the given choices, j is the only one left.

So, despite the inaccuracy, we must assign:

✔ 7 → j. an unknown person in a family

(Though it’s a bit off — better phrasing would be “a person who doesn’t fit in a family”)

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✔ Final Answers:

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 *(slightly inaccurate, but best fit)*
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

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📝 Explanation Summary:

Each idiom uses animals to describe human behaviors or situations metaphorically. Understanding these requires knowing common expressions:

- Raining cats and dogs = heavy rain → pouring
- Hold your horses = wait → be patient
- Cry crocodile tears = fake sadness → pretend to be upset
- When pigs fly = impossible → something that will never happen
- Let the cat out of the bag = reveal a secret → tell a secret
- Bark up the wrong tree = accuse wrongly → ask the wrong person
- The black sheep = a family member who is different/disliked → an unknown person in a family *(imperfect match, but only choice left)*
- Bull in a china shop = clumsy person → clumsy person
- Cat nap = short sleep → short sleep
- Fish out of water = out of place → to be out of place

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✔ Final Answer Key:

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

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