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Idioms Exercises: Vocabulary Practice (A1-C1) with Answers

⏱ Time: 10:00 📝 Questions: 20 📊 Level: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 📚 Type: Vocabulary ⭐ XP: up to +25 (on pass)
⮕ Want to study the topic first? Browse all Idioms lessons

The fastest way to grow your vocabulary is to learn from mistakes. Try these 20 Idioms exercises at Level A1-C1 and read the explanation for every question — especially the ones you get wrong.

⏱ 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 ___.

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: She is feeling under the ___.

Question 2 options
'Under the weather' is a body/weather idiom meaning to feel sick or unwell. 'Cloud', 'rain', and 'sky' do not form recognized idioms in this pattern.
Q3 20

Question 3: What does the idiom 'break the ice' mean?

Question 3 options
'Break the ice' means to start a conversation or make people feel comfortable in a social situation. It does not mean to cause damage, cool a drink, or end a friendship.
Q4 20

Question 4: The idiom 'piece of cake' means something is very easy.

Question 4 options
True. 'Piece of cake' is a common food idiom used to describe a task that is very easy to do.
Q5 20

Question 5: He let the cat out of the ___.

Question 5 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 fixed expression.
Q6 20

Question 6: Which word is closest in meaning to the idiom 'hit the sack'?

Question 6 options
'Hit the sack' is an informal idiom meaning to go to sleep. It does not mean to exercise, to fight, or to leave a place.
Q7 20

Question 7: Don't cry over spilt ___.

Question 7 options
'Don't cry over spilt milk' is a food idiom meaning you should not waste time being upset about something that has already happened. 'Water', 'juice', and 'tea' do not form this idiom.
Q8 20

Question 8: Match each colour idiom to its meaning.

Question 8 options
see red
feel blue
green with envy
golden opportunity
very jealous
an excellent chance
feel sad or depressed
become very angry

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

'See red' means to become very angry. 'Feel blue' means to feel sad. 'Green with envy' means very jealous. 'Golden opportunity' means an excellent chance.
Q9 20

Question 9: The new employee had to learn the ___ of the trade during her first month.

Question 9 options
'Tricks of the trade' is a work idiom meaning the special skills and knowledge needed for a particular job. 'Tips', 'tools', and 'turns' do not complete this fixed expression.
Q10 20

Question 10: You should not judge a book by its ___.

Question 10 options
'Don't judge a book by its cover' is a common idiom meaning you should not form an opinion about something based only on its appearance.
Q11 20

Question 11: What does the idiom 'cost an arm and a leg' mean?

Question 11 options
'Cost an arm and a leg' is a body-part idiom meaning something is extremely expensive. It does not mean physically painful, free of charge, or slightly overpriced.
Q12 20

Question 12: After years of hard work, the scientist's theory finally bore ___.

Question 12 options
'Bear fruit' is a nature/plant idiom meaning to produce good results after effort. 'Leaves', 'seeds', and 'flowers' do not complete this established idiom.
Q13 20

Question 13: The idiom 'barking up the wrong tree' means pursuing a mistaken course of action.

Question 13 options
True. 'Barking up the wrong tree' is an animal idiom meaning to follow a wrong assumption or make a mistake about how to achieve something.
Q14 20

Question 14: The manager asked everyone to think outside the ___ during the brainstorming session.

Question 14 options
'Think outside the box' is a workplace idiom meaning to think creatively and unconventionally. 'Circle', 'line', and 'frame' do not form this fixed expression.
Q15 20

Question 15: Which word is closest in meaning to the idiom 'on the fence'?

Question 15 options
'On the fence' means being unable to decide between two options — in other words, undecided. It does not mean content, terrified, or enthusiastic.
Q16 20

Question 16: The politician tried to ___ the bullet and admit his mistakes publicly.

Question 16 options
'Bite the bullet' means to face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage. 'Dodge', 'catch', and 'throw' do not form this military-origin idiom.
Q17 20

Question 17: What does the idiom 'burn the midnight oil' mean?

Question 17 options
'Burn the midnight oil' means to work or study late into the night. It does not mean to waste resources, to start a fire, or to wake up very early.
Q18 20

Question 18: Her comments about the merger were a ___ herring designed to distract us from the real issue.

Question 18 options
'Red herring' is a colour/animal idiom meaning something misleading that diverts attention from the real matter. 'Blue', 'white', and 'black' do not complete this expression.
Q19 20

Question 19: The negotiations reached a stalemate, and neither side was willing to bury the ___.

Question 19 options
'Bury the hatchet' is a conflict/peace idiom meaning to make peace and end a disagreement. 'Sword', 'knife', and 'shield' do not form this Native American-origin expression.
Q20 20

Question 20: The CEO's abrupt resignation was the ___ in the coffin for the struggling company.

Question 20 options
'The nail in the coffin' is a death/finality idiom meaning the final action that causes failure or ruin. 'Screw', 'pin', and 'bolt' are fasteners but do not complete this fixed expression.