Printable Rebus With Answers - Printable Office Mastery - Free Printable

Let’s solve each brain teaser one by one. These are word puzzles where you have to look at how the words or letters are arranged to figure out a common phrase or saying.

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1. PROMISE with a broken line between “M” and “I”

→ The word is “PROMISE”, but it’s split — like something is broken in the middle.
→ That means: Broken promise

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2. SPOT with a red X over the “O”

→ You’re crossing out the “O” in “SPOT”.
→ So, you’re removing the “O” → “SPT”? No… think of it as “X marks the spot” — but here the X is *on* the O.
→ Actually, this is a classic: Spotlight? No… wait — if you put an X on the O, it’s like saying “no O” → “SPXT”? Not right.
→ Think differently: The X is *over* the O — so maybe “cross out the O” → “SP T” — still not helping.
→ Wait — what if we read it as “S-P-X-O-T”? No…
→ Actually, this is a well-known rebus: Red-handed? No…
→ Let’s try: “SPOT” with an X through the O — that’s like saying “no O in spot” → “SPT” — doesn’t help.
→ Alternative idea: Maybe it’s “X marks the spot” — but the X is drawn *on* the word.
→ Actually, the correct answer is: Crossroads? No…
→ I recall now: When you cross out a letter in a word like this, it often means “without” that letter. But “SPOT” without “O” is “SPT” — not useful.
→ Wait — perhaps it’s phonetic? “Spot” with an X — like “ex-spot”? No.
→ Let me think of common phrases: “In the spotlight”? No.
→ Another approach: The X is red — maybe “red spot”? But why cross the O?
→ Actually, I remember now: This is “No spot”? Doesn’t make sense.
→ Hold on — maybe it’s “X-ray vision”? No.
→ Let’s skip and come back.

Wait — I got it! It’s “Spot check”? No.
Actually, the standard answer for “SPOT” with an X over the O is: “Cross my heart”? No.
I think I’m overcomplicating. Let’s look at it visually: The X is drawn *through* the O — so it’s like “cancel the O” — which leaves S-P-T — but that’s not a word.
Alternative: Maybe it’s “S-P-O-T” with X meaning “times” — no.
Wait — perhaps it’s “XOXO”? No.
I recall now: In rebuses, when a letter is crossed out, it can mean “remove that letter” — but here, maybe it’s about the shape.
Another idea: The X looks like two lines crossing — so “crossed out spot” → “Crossroads”? Still not fitting.
Let me search my memory: Ah! It’s “Spotlight” — but how?
No — actually, I think the correct answer is: “Red-handed” — because the X is red, and it’s on “spot” — but that’s weak.
Wait — let’s consider: “SPOT” with an X — maybe “X-spot” → “ex-spot” → “former spot”? No.
I found it online in my mind: The answer is “No room for error”? No.
Actually, I think I made a mistake — let’s move on and come back.

Wait — I remember now: For #2, it’s “Cross your fingers”? No.
Perhaps it’s “X marks the spot” — and since the X is drawn on the word, it’s emphasizing that — so the answer is simply: X marks the spot

But that seems too literal. Let’s assume that for now.

Actually, upon second thought, in many rebus puzzles, “SPOT” with an X over the O is interpreted as “no O in spot” — which sounds like “no hope in spot” — no.
Another possibility: “Spot” minus “O” is “SPT” — which could be “spit” — but that’s not it.
I think I need to accept that the intended answer is: X marks the spot

But let’s check others first.

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3. G N I K C A B written vertically

→ Read it top to bottom: G-N-I-K-C-A-B
→ Reverse it: B-A-C-K-I-N-G → Backing

But that’s just a word. What phrase?
“Backing” what?
Wait — if you read it backwards, it’s “BACKING” — so the puzzle is showing the word backward — so the answer is: Backward glance? No.
Actually, it’s simply: Backing — but that’s not a phrase.
Wait — perhaps it’s “going back” — but the letters spell “GNICKAB” forward, which is “BACKING” backward.
So the phrase is: Going backward? Or Backtracking?
Standard answer for this type is: Backwards — but let’s see.
Actually, I think it’s: Backing up — but the puzzle just shows the reversed word.
Commonly, this is solved as: Backwards — meaning the word is written backwards.

But let’s confirm: If you write “BACKING” backwards, you get “GNICKAB” — yes. So the answer is: Backwards

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4. FOOLING arranged in a circle around a dot with an arrow

→ The word “FOOLING” is curved around a center point, with an arrow going clockwise.
→ This suggests “fooling around” — because it’s circling around.
→ Answer: Fooling around

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5. SH get APE — with “SH” and “APE” in red, “get” in black

→ So it’s “SH” + “get” + “APE”
→ Put together: “SHgetAPE” — which sounds like “She gets ape” — not right.
→ But if you say it fast: “Sh-get-ape” → “Shape” — oh! “SH” + “APE” = “SHAPE”, and “get” is in between.
→ So it’s: Get into shape — because “get” is between “SH” and “APE” to form “SHAPE”.
→ Yes! So the phrase is: Get into shape

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6. JUST written sideways on the right edge

→ The word “JUST” is rotated 90 degrees, standing vertically on the right side.
→ So it’s “just” on the side — which means: Just beside or Just aside?
→ Common phrase: Just in time? No.
→ Actually, when a word is written on the side, it often means “on the side” — so “just on the side” → Just aside?
→ But the standard answer for this is: Justify — no.
→ Wait — “JUST” written vertically — so it’s “vertical just” — not helpful.
→ Perhaps it’s “left just” — no.
→ I recall: When a word is written on the margin or side, it can mean “on the side” — so “just on the side” → Just off to the side? Too long.
→ Another idea: “JUST” is small and on the edge — so “barely there” — but not matching.
→ Actually, the answer is: Justify — but how?
→ Let’s think phonetically: “Just” written sideways — maybe “side just” → “sideways just” — no.
→ I think the intended answer is: Just around the corner? No.
→ Upon reflection, in rebus puzzles, when a word is written vertically on the right, it often means “right just” — which isn’t a phrase.
→ Wait — perhaps it’s “just right” — but it’s on the right side, so “just” is on the right — so “right just” — which is backwards.
→ Actually, I believe the answer is: Justify — but I’m not sure.
→ Let’s consider: “JUST” written vertically — if you rotate your head, it’s still “JUST” — so maybe it’s “upright just” — no.
→ I found a better way: In some puzzles, this represents “just” being “on the side” — so the phrase is Just aside — but that’s not common.
→ Another possibility: “Just” is small and alone — so “just me” — no.
→ I recall now: The answer is Justify — because “just” + “ify” — but there’s no “ify”.
→ Perhaps it’s a trick: “JUST” written sideways means it’s “not straight” — so “crooked just” — no.
→ Let’s look for similar puzzles online in my mind: Ah! I think it’s Just in case — but no indication of “case”.
→ Wait — perhaps it’s “left just” — but it’s on the right.
→ I think I have it: When “JUST” is written vertically on the right, it means “just” is on the right-hand side — so the phrase is Righteous? No.
→ Actually, the standard answer for this is: Justify — but I’m doubting.
→ Let’s move on and come back.

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7. ONCE above a clock showing 3 o’clock

→ Clock has hands at 12 and 3 — so 3 o’clock.
→ “ONCE” above it — so “once” at 3 o’clock.
→ Phrase: Once upon a time — but how does 3 o’clock fit?
→ “Once” + “three” — “once three” — not a phrase.
→ “Once” at 3 — so “once at three” — which might mean “once in a while” — no.
→ Another idea: “Once” and the clock — clock represents “time” — so “once time” — not good.
→ Perhaps it’s “once bitten, twice shy” — no.
→ I recall: When “ONCE” is above a clock, it often means “once in a lifetime” — but the clock shows 3, not lifetime.
→ Wait — 3 o’clock is “three” — so “once three” — sounds like “wonderful” — no.
→ Phonetically: “Once” + “three” = “oncthree” — not helpful.
→ Another thought: The clock has only hour and minute hands — at 3:00 — so “three o’clock” — and “once” — so “once at three” — which could be “once upon a time” if we ignore the 3.
→ But that’s weak.
→ Perhaps it’s “once more” — no.
→ I think the answer is: Once upon a time — and the clock is just representing “time”.
→ Yes, that makes sense. So: Once upon a time

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8. STORM TH — with “STORM” above “TH” in yellow

→ “STORM” on top, “TH” below — so “STORM” over “TH” — which is “stormth” — not a word.
→ But if you say it: “Storm” + “th” — “stormth” — sounds like “fourth” — no.
→ “TH” could be “the” — so “storm the” — but what?
→ “Storm the castle” — but no castle.
→ Another idea: “TH” is often used for “thunder” — so “storm thunder” — redundant.
→ Perhaps it’s “after the storm” — but “TH” is below.
→ Wait — “STORM” above “TH” — so “over TH” — “over the” — so “storm over the” — incomplete.
→ I recall: This is a common one — “STORM” with “TH” underneath — it’s meant to be read as “STORM” + “TH” = “STORMTH” — which is not English.
→ Unless “TH” stands for “the” — so “storm the” — and then what?
→ Perhaps it’s “calm before the storm” — but no calm.
→ Another possibility: “TH” could be “Thursday” — so “storm Thursday” — not likely.
→ Let’s think of homophones: “Storm” + “th” — “stormth” — sounds like “forth” — so “storm forth” — which is a phrase!
→ Yes! Storm forth — meaning to rush out aggressively.
→ So the answer is: Storm forth

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9. D in pink on the left side of the box

→ Just the letter “D” on the left.
→ So “D” on the left — which could mean “left D” — not helpful.
→ Perhaps it’s “debt” — but no.
→ “D” is the fourth letter — so “fourth” — but why pink?
→ Pink might indicate “pink slip” — but not related.
→ Another idea: “D” on the left — so “left D” — which sounds like “lefty” — no.
→ Perhaps it’s “D-day” — but no day.
→ I recall: In rebuses, a single letter on the side can mean “the [letter] side” — so “the D side” — which is “the downside” — because “D” sounds like “down”.
→ Yes! Downside — because “D” = “down”, and it’s on the side — so “down side” → Downside

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Now let’s go back to the ones I was unsure about.

#2: SPOT with X over O

After thinking, I remember now: This is “No spot” — but that’s not a phrase.
Wait — another common interpretation: The X is red, and it’s crossing the O — so “red X on spot” — which might be “red-handed” — but “spot” isn’t “hand”.
Perhaps it’s “spot check” — but no check mark.
I found it: In many sources, “SPOT” with an X through the O is “Crossroads” — because the X looks like a cross, and “spot” is there — but that’s stretched.
Actually, I think the correct answer is: X marks the spot — and since the X is drawn on the word, it’s emphasizing that phrase.
So I’ll go with: X marks the spot

#6: JUST written vertically on the right

Upon further research in my mind, I recall that when “JUST” is written vertically on the right, it means “just” is on the right-hand side — so the phrase is Justify — but how?
Wait — “just” + “ify” — but there’s no “ify”.
Another idea: “JUST” written sideways — if you turn your head, it’s still “JUST” — so perhaps it’s “upright” — but “just upright” isn’t a phrase.
I think the intended answer is: Justify — and the vertical writing implies “making it right” or “justifying”.
But let’s consider: “JUST” on the side — so “aside just” — which could be “just aside” — but that’s not common.
Perhaps it’s “left just” — but it’s on the right.
I found a better match: In some puzzles, this represents “just” being “on the margin” — so “marginal just” — no.
Actually, I believe the answer is: Justify — and I’ll go with that.

But let’s double-check with logic: If “JUST” is written vertically, it might be hinting at “vertical justice” — no.
Another thought: “JUST” is small and on the edge — so “barely just” — not helpful.
I recall now: The answer is Justify — because “just” + “fy” (from the vertical orientation implying “ification”) — but that’s weak.
Perhaps it’s a typo or misremembered.
Let’s look for alternatives: “Just” on the right — so “right just” — which is “righteous” — but “righteous” starts with R.
I think I have it: When “JUST” is written vertically on the right, it means “just” is positioned to the right — so the phrase is Righteous — but that doesn’t include “just”.
Wait — “just” and “right” are synonyms — so “just right” — and since it’s on the right, it’s “just right”.
Yes! That makes sense. So: Just right

Because “JUST” is on the right side of the box — so “just” is “right” — hence Just right

Perfect.

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Now compiling all answers:

1. Broken promise
2. X marks the spot
3. Backwards
4. Fooling around
5. Get into shape
6. Just right
7. Once upon a time
8. Storm forth
9. Downside

Let me verify #3 again: G N I K C A B vertically — reading top to bottom is G-N-I-K-C-A-B, which is “BACKING” backwards — so the phrase is Backwards — yes.

#8: STORM over TH — “storm forth” — yes, as “TH” sounds like “forth” when combined.

#9: D on left — “D” = “down”, on the side — so “downside” — yes.

All seem reasonable.

Final Answer:
1. Broken promise
2. X marks the spot
3. Backwards
4. Fooling around
5. Get into shape
6. Just right
7. Once upon a time
8. Storm forth
9. Downside