American English Idioms

A vibrant illustration of various American idioms depicted as colorful icons, surrounded by an open book and a chalkboard, in a classroom setting.

Test Your Knowledge of American English Idioms

Welcome to the American English Idioms Quiz! This engaging quiz tests your understanding of commonly used idioms, allowing you to broaden your knowledge of the English language. Whether you're a student, a language enthusiast, or just curious, this quiz is perfect for you.

In this quiz, you will:

Discover the meanings behind popular idiomatic expressions.
Challenge yourself with 20 multiple-choice questions.
Improve your English language skills in a fun way!

20 Questions5 MinutesCreated by LearningPhrase42

Take a rain check

A. Expression used to warn against the rain

B. Commonly used as a metaphor for postponing or rescheduling a meeting between people to some later date that is more convenient

C. A common expression that is similar to "to trust" or "to give someone a chance.

Put wool over other people's eyes

A. This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them.

B. To run very fast in the opposite direction

C. To reveal something that the people in the conversation were trying to avoid talking about, or were trying to hide.

Let the cat out of the log.

A. This expression is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives.

B. To reveal something that the people in the conversation were trying to avoid talking about, or were trying to hide.

C. This is used when someone does not want to choose or make a decision.

Cost someone a mint

A. To cost a great deal of money

B. To avoid blame that one deserves; to seem innocent

C. To ruin someone’s plans

Cut corners

A. This idiom is used when something is very expensive.

B. A metaphor for deliberately ignoring someone

C. To do things poorly or incompletely in order to save money

Cut the mustard

A. To meet standards

B. Routine or clear and unequivocal

C. To change one’s behavior or mind abruptly and (often) apparently without reason

Get drummed out of the corps

A. To not allow something beyond a certain acceptable point

B. To expel someone from a group or organization

C. Having a trait that is thoroughly ingrained or basic to one’s nature

Face the music

A. To confront a difficult or unpleasant situation; to accept the unpleasant consequences of one’s own actions

B. To be deceived or believe an unlikely story

To give someone or something a chance to prove itself

Get the message

A. To receive the text message or email

B. To speak or write concisely and directly

C. To understand something that is only hinted at, perhaps because it is unpleasant

Horse of another color

A. To believe something completely, usually in the sense of being fooled

B. A situation or plan which represents a change from what was expected or assumed

C. To prevent someone or something that is threatening or attacking from being able to advance

12. In the nick of time

A. In good health or good condition.

B. In the end; after a long time has passed

C. At the last moment, just before something bad happens

Lame duck

A. Abandoned or stranded; helpless

B. A person who holds an office but has little real influence because he or she has not been reelected

C. Some hidden aspect to a situation

Out to lunch

A. Absent-minded, unaware or confused

B. In a difficult situation or position

C. Beyond expectations; outside normal or accepted boundaries; exaggerated

Take something with a grain of salt

A. To accept whatever is available

B. To accept and adjust to bad fortune or trouble

C. To be skeptical or cautious about believing a story or an explanation

Hit the nail on the head

A. To not wait for something to happen because it probably won’t happen soon, if at all

B. To come to the right conclusion

C. To get rich or find something of value

American English Idioms

Test Your Knowledge of American English Idioms

More Quizzes