Idioms, Adages & Proverbs — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. "You can't have your cake and eat it too" means you cannot have it both ways.
"Eat" completes this proverb because once you eat your cake, it is gone -- you cannot keep it and consume it at the same time, which teaches that some choices are either/or.
2. "Throw in the towel" means to give up or quit.
"Towel" completes this idiom, which comes from boxing -- a trainer throws a towel into the ring to signal that a fighter is giving up the match.
3. "A watched pot never boils" means time seems slower when you wait anxiously.
"Boils" completes this adage because staring at a pot on the stove makes it seem like the water will never heat up, illustrating how anxious waiting makes time feel slower.
4. "Beggars can't be choosers" means you should accept what is offered when in need.
"Choosers" completes this proverb because if you are in need of help, you should gratefully accept what is offered rather than being picky about it.
5. "Speak of the devil" is used when the person you were talking about suddenly appears.
"Devil" completes this idiom because people say "speak of the devil" when the very person they were just discussing unexpectedly shows up, as if summoned by the conversation.
6. "The best of both worlds" means enjoying two different advantages at the same time.
"Worlds" completes this idiom because it describes a lucky situation where you get to enjoy the advantages of two different things at once, like living near both the beach and the mountains.
7. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" means you appreciate people more when they are away.
"Fonder" completes this adage because being separated from someone you care about makes you miss them and value them even more than when they were around.
8. "Easy come, easy go" means things gained without effort are lost just as quickly.
"Go" completes this proverb because it teaches that things you obtain without much effort tend to slip away just as easily, like prize money spent carelessly.
9. "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" means do not risk everything on a single plan.
"Basket" completes this proverb because if you carry all your eggs in one basket and drop it, every egg breaks -- so it is wiser to spread your efforts across multiple plans.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Throw in the towel
→ Idiom (give up)
Adage (distance increases affection)
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
→ Adage (distance increases affection)
Idiom (someone appears when mentioned)
Speak of the devil
→ Idiom (someone appears when mentioned)
Proverb (easy gains are easily lost)
Easy come, easy go
→ Proverb (easy gains are easily lost)
Idiom (give up)
Correct matches: Throw in the towel → Idiom (give up); Absence makes the heart grow fonder → Adage (distance increases affection); Speak of the devil → Idiom (someone appears when mentioned); Easy come, easy go → Proverb (easy gains are easily lost).