Idiomatic Expressions Quiz (A2-C1) — Vocabulary Practice Test

⏱ Time: 10:00 📝 Questions: 20 📊 Level: A2, B1, B2, C1 📚 Type: Vocabulary ⭐ XP: up to +25 (on pass)
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Just finished studying Idiomatic Expressions? Lock in what you learned with 20 practice exercises. This Level A2-C1 quiz is designed as a revision companion — quick to complete, easy to retake, and packed with explanations to solidify your understanding.

⏱ You have 10:00 to answer 20 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  20
Q1 20

Question 1: It's raining cats and ___! We can't go outside.

Question 1 options
'It's raining cats and dogs' is a common weather idiom meaning it is raining very heavily. 'Birds,' 'fish,' and 'mice' do not complete this fixed expression.
Q2 20

Question 2: What does the idiom 'break the ice' mean?

Question 2 options
'Break the ice' means to start a conversation or ease tension in a social situation. It does not mean to break something, feel cold, or stop working.
Q3 20

Question 3: The idiom 'piece of cake' means something is very easy to do.

Question 3 options
True. 'Piece of cake' is a common food idiom meaning a task is very easy or simple, not literally about cake.
Q4 20

Question 4: She was feeling ___ the weather, so she stayed home.

Question 4 options
'Under the weather' is an idiom meaning feeling slightly ill or unwell. 'Over,' 'above,' and 'beside' do not form this fixed expression.
Q5 20

Question 5: Which word is closest in meaning to the idiom 'hit the sack'?

Question 5 options
'Hit the sack' is an informal body-action idiom meaning to go to sleep. It does not mean to fight, exercise, or leave.
Q6 20

Question 6: Don't let the cat out of the ___! It's a surprise party.

Question 6 options
'Let the cat out of the bag' is an animal idiom meaning to reveal a secret accidentally. 'Box,' 'house,' and 'room' do not complete this idiom.
Q7 20

Question 7: Match each body-part idiom to its meaning.

Question 7 options
cold feet
keep an eye on
lend a hand
break a leg
good luck (said before a performance)
nervousness or hesitation before an event
watch carefully
help someone

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

'Cold feet' means nervousness before an event. 'Keep an eye on' means to watch carefully. 'Lend a hand' means to help someone. 'Break a leg' means good luck.
Q8 20

Question 8: He's been burning the midnight ___ studying for his exams all week.

Question 8 options
'Burn the midnight oil' is a time/work idiom meaning to work or study late into the night. 'Candle,' 'lamp,' and 'fire' do not complete this fixed expression.
Q9 20

Question 9: What does the idiom 'once in a blue moon' mean?

Question 9 options
'Once in a blue moon' is a colour/weather idiom meaning something happens very rarely. It does not mean frequently, at night, or when feeling sad.
Q10 20

Question 10: You need to stop beating around the ___ and tell me what happened.

Question 10 options
'Beat around the bush' is a nature idiom meaning to avoid talking about the main topic directly. The fixed word in the blank is 'bush.'
Q11 20

Question 11: The new employee was a ___ in the rough — inexperienced but very talented.

Question 11 options
'A diamond in the rough' is a colour/material idiom meaning someone with great potential despite an unpolished appearance. 'Pearl,' 'stone,' and 'gem' do not form this idiom.
Q12 20

Question 12: Which word is closest in meaning to the idiom 'the last straw'?

Question 12 options
'The last straw' refers to the final problem or annoyance that makes a situation intolerable — the limit of one's patience. It is not about a beginning, a reward, or a compromise.
Q13 20

Question 13: The idiom 'to see red' means to become extremely angry.

Question 13 options
True. 'See red' is a colour idiom that means to become very angry or furious, evoking the association of red with rage.
Q14 20

Question 14: After the scandal, the politician tried to ___ the hatchet with his rivals.

Question 14 options
'Bury the hatchet' is a conflict/peace idiom meaning to make peace or end a quarrel. 'Throw,' 'hide,' and 'sharpen' do not form this fixed expression.
Q15 20

Question 15: The manager told the team not to cry over spilt ___; they should focus on the next project.

Question 15 options
'Don't cry over spilt milk' is a food idiom meaning there is no use in being upset about something that has already happened and cannot be changed. 'Water,' 'juice,' and 'wine' do not complete this expression.
Q16 20

Question 16: What does the idiom 'bite the bullet' mean?

Question 16 options
'Bite the bullet' is a courage idiom meaning to endure a painful or difficult situation bravely. It does not mean to give up, celebrate, or cheat.
Q17 20

Question 17: If someone is described as 'barking up the wrong tree,' they are ___.

Question 17 options
'Barking up the wrong tree' is an animal/nature idiom meaning to pursue a mistaken or misguided course of action. It does not mean being successful, being loud, or planting a garden.
Q18 20

Question 18: Her criticism was a ___ pill to swallow, but he knew it was justified.

Question 18 options
'A bitter pill to swallow' is a medicine/health idiom meaning an unpleasant fact or situation that is hard to accept. 'Sweet,' 'sour,' and 'hard' do not form this fixed expression.
Q19 20

Question 19: The expression 'to play devil's advocate' means to ___.

Question 19 options
'Play devil's advocate' is a formal/debate idiom meaning to argue against something deliberately, even if you don't personally disagree, in order to provoke discussion. It does not mean to lie, to agree quickly, or to ignore a problem.
Q20 20

Question 20: Some people confuse 'on the ball' with 'on the fence.' If someone is 'on the ball,' they are ___.

Question 20 options
'On the ball' means alert, competent, and quick to understand, while 'on the fence' means undecided. Learners sometimes confuse these two 'on the ___' idioms. Being 'on the ball' is about competence, not indecision, relaxation, or dishonesty.