Idioms, Adages & Proverbs — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
My sister said it is raining cats and dogs so I looked for animals outside.
Corrected: My sister said it is raining cats and dogs, so I grabbed an umbrella.
The corrected sentence is: "My sister said it is raining cats and dogs, so I grabbed an umbrella.". The original sentence "My sister said it is raining cats and dogs so I looked for animals outside." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
The teacher told me to break a leg, so I was worried about getting hurt.
Corrected: The teacher told me to break a leg, so I felt encouraged before the show.
The corrected sentence is: "The teacher told me to break a leg, so I felt encouraged before the show.". The original sentence "The teacher told me to break a leg, so I was worried about getting hurt." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
Dad said the test was a piece of cake, so I brought dessert to class.
Corrected: Dad said the test was a piece of cake, so I knew it would be easy.
The corrected sentence is: "Dad said the test was a piece of cake, so I knew it would be easy.". The original sentence "Dad said the test was a piece of cake, so I brought dessert to class." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. When someone says "spill the beans," they mean to reveal a secret.
'Spill the beans' is an idiom meaning to accidentally or intentionally reveal a secret.
2. If you are "under the weather," you are feeling sick.
'Under the weather' is an idiom meaning to feel unwell or ill.
3. To "hit the nail on the head" means to be exactly right.
'Hit the nail on the head' means to be exactly correct or to identify the precise issue.
4. An idiom is a phrase whose figurative meaning differs from its literal meaning.
An idiom's figurative meaning cannot be determined from the individual words' literal meanings.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. What does the idiom "bite off more than you can chew" mean? Give an example.
Sample answer: It means to take on more than you can handle. For example, signing up for five clubs at once when you barely have time for one.
'Bite off more than you can chew' means to take on more responsibility than you can manage.
2. Explain why idioms can be confusing for someone learning English for the first time.
Sample answer: Idioms are confusing because the words do not mean what they normally mean. A new learner might think "break a leg" is about injury, not good luck.
Idioms cannot be understood by translating individual words — their meaning is entirely figurative.