English Idioms Quiz for Beginners: 20 Questions
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| English Idioms Quiz for Beginners: 20 Questions |
English Idioms Quiz for Beginners: Test Yourself with 20 Questions
How well do you understand common English idioms? This English idioms quiz for beginners contains 20 multiple-choice questions based on expressions frequently used in everyday conversations.
Each question presents an idiom in context. Choose the option that best explains its meaning. Once you have completed the quiz, check the answer key and explanations to discover how many you answered correctly.
Take the Interactive English Idioms Quiz
What Are English Idioms?
An idiom is a group of words whose meaning is different from the literal meanings of the individual words. For example, when someone says that a task is a piece of cake, they mean that it is very easy—not that it is an actual piece of cake.
Learning idioms can help you understand everyday conversations, films, books and informal writing. It can also make your spoken and written English sound more natural.
English Idioms Quiz Instructions
- Read each sentence carefully.
- Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in bold.
- Select only one answer for each question.
- Do not check the answers until you have completed all 20 questions.
- Give yourself one point for every correct answer.
English Idioms Quiz for Beginners
1. A Piece of Cake
The homework looked difficult, but it was actually a piece of cake.
A) Very expensive
B) Very easy
C) Extremely boring
D) Nearly impossible
2. Break the Ice
At the beginning of the class, the teacher told a funny story to break the ice.
A) End the class early
B) Make everyone feel more comfortable
C) Test the students’ knowledge
D) Start an argument
3. Under the Weather
I will not be coming to work today because I am feeling under the weather.
A) Slightly ill
B) Very busy
C) Extremely hungry
D) Completely confused
4. Once in a Blue Moon
We eat at expensive restaurants once in a blue moon.
A) Every evening
B) Twice a month
C) Very rarely
D) Only at night
5. Cost an Arm and a Leg
That new laptop cost an arm and a leg.
A) It was damaged
B) It was extremely expensive
C) It was available for free
D) It was bought second-hand
6. Spill the Beans
Please do not spill the beans about Anna’s surprise birthday party.
A) Prepare the food too early
B) Waste something important
C) Reveal the secret
D) Invite more guests
7. Hit the Books
My examination is on Monday, so I need to hit the books this weekend.
A) Visit the library
B) Begin studying seriously
C) Purchase new textbooks
D) Put the books away
8. On Cloud Nine
Priya was on cloud nine after winning the competition.
A) Extremely nervous
B) Slightly confused
C) Extremely happy
D) Physically tired
9. Call It a Day
We have been working for six hours. Let’s call it a day.
A) Cancel the entire project
B) Stop working for today
C) Telephone someone
D) Prepare tomorrow’s schedule
10. In Hot Water
Daniel was in hot water with his teacher after forgetting his homework again.
A) Receiving praise
B) Being in trouble
C) Feeling uncomfortable because of the heat
D) Asking a difficult question
11. Keep an Eye On
Could you keep an eye on my bag while I buy a ticket?
A) Look inside it
B) Watch it carefully
C) Carry it home
D) Repair it
12. A Blessing in Disguise
Missing that train was a blessing in disguise because I met my future employer at the station.
A) An unfortunate event that remained bad
B) Something that appeared bad but produced a good result
C) A carefully planned surprise
D) A dangerous decision
13. Get Cold Feet
Maya got cold feet just before her speech and almost cancelled it.
A) Her feet became cold
B) She suddenly became nervous
C) She became angry with the audience
D) She started practising
14. Pull Someone’s Leg
Do not be upset—I was only pulling your leg.
A) Asking for your help
B) Trying to make you fall
C) Joking with you
D) Giving you serious advice
15. Miss the Boat
I did not apply before the deadline, so I missed the boat.
A) Missed a journey
B) Lost an opportunity
C) Completed the application incorrectly
D) Decided to take a holiday
16. Go the Extra Mile
The shop assistant went the extra mile to help us find the right product.
A) Travelled a longer distance
B) Made more effort than expected
C) Left work early
D) Followed only the basic instructions
17. Sit on the Fence
Jack refuses to support either proposal. He is still sitting on the fence.
A) Resting after work
B) Remaining undecided
C) Hiding from everyone
D) Disagreeing with both proposals
18. Hit the Nail on the Head
Lina hit the nail on the head when she said that the project needed better planning.
A) Used a tool correctly
B) Described the problem exactly
C) Created a new problem
D) Ended the conversation
19. Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Tom let the cat out of the bag when he told Sarah about her surprise present.
A) Released an animal
B) Solved a difficult puzzle
C) Revealed a secret accidentally
D) Cancelled a plan
20. Back to Square One
Our original plan failed, so we are back to square one.
A) Celebrating our success
B) Starting again from the beginning
C) Waiting for someone to help
D) Repeating the same mistake deliberately
Take the Interactive English Idioms Quiz
English Idioms Quiz Answers
| Question | Correct Answer | Idiom |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | A piece of cake |
| 2 | B | Break the ice |
| 3 | A | Under the weather |
| 4 | C | Once in a blue moon |
| 5 | B | Cost an arm and a leg |
| 6 | C | Spill the beans |
| 7 | B | Hit the books |
| 8 | C | On cloud nine |
| 9 | B | Call it a day |
| 10 | B | In hot water |
| 11 | B | Keep an eye on |
| 12 | B | A blessing in disguise |
| 13 | B | Get cold feet |
| 14 | C | Pull someone’s leg |
| 15 | B | Miss the boat |
| 16 | B | Go the extra mile |
| 17 | B | Sit on the fence |
| 18 | B | Hit the nail on the head |
| 19 | C | Let the cat out of the bag |
| 20 | B | Back to square one |
Answers and Explanations
1. A Piece of Cake
Correct answer: B) Very easy
If something is a piece of cake, it is very easy to do.
2. Break the Ice
Correct answer: B) Make everyone feel more comfortable
To break the ice means to do or say something that helps people relax when they first meet.
3. Under the Weather
Correct answer: A) Slightly ill
Someone who feels under the weather feels unwell or slightly ill.
4. Once in a Blue Moon
Correct answer: C) Very rarely
If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens extremely rarely.
5. Cost an Arm and a Leg
Correct answer: B) It was extremely expensive
Something that costs an arm and a leg costs a very large amount of money.
6. Spill the Beans
Correct answer: C) Reveal the secret
To spill the beans means to reveal secret or previously unknown information.
7. Hit the Books
Correct answer: B) Begin studying seriously
To hit the books means to begin studying, usually with concentration and effort.
8. On Cloud Nine
Correct answer: C) Extremely happy
Someone who is on cloud nine feels extremely happy and excited.
9. Call It a Day
Correct answer: B) Stop working for today
To call it a day means to stop working on something for the remainder of the day.
10. In Hot Water
Correct answer: B) Being in trouble
If someone is in hot water, they are experiencing trouble or facing criticism.
11. Keep an Eye On
Correct answer: B) Watch it carefully
To keep an eye on someone or something means to watch them carefully for a period of time.
12. A Blessing in Disguise
Correct answer: B) Something that appeared bad but produced a good result
A blessing in disguise is an event that initially seems unfortunate but eventually leads to something beneficial.
13. Get Cold Feet
Correct answer: B) She suddenly became nervous
To get cold feet means to suddenly feel too nervous or frightened to do something you had planned.
14. Pull Someone’s Leg
Correct answer: C) Joking with you
To pull someone’s leg means to playfully deceive or joke with that person.
15. Miss the Boat
Correct answer: B) Lost an opportunity
To miss the boat means to be too late to take advantage of an opportunity.
16. Go the Extra Mile
Correct answer: B) Made more effort than expected
To go the extra mile means to make an additional effort beyond what is normally required.
17. Sit on the Fence
Correct answer: B) Remaining undecided
Someone who sits on the fence avoids choosing between two different possibilities or opinions.
18. Hit the Nail on the Head
Correct answer: B) Described the problem exactly
To hit the nail on the head means to describe a situation or identify a problem with complete accuracy.
19. Let the Cat Out of the Bag
Correct answer: C) Revealed a secret accidentally
To let the cat out of the bag means to reveal a secret, often unintentionally.
20. Back to Square One
Correct answer: B) Starting again from the beginning
Going back to square one means returning to the beginning because an earlier plan or attempt failed.
How to Learn English Idioms More Easily
- Learn idioms in context: Read the entire sentence instead of memorising only the expression.
- Create your own examples: Write one original sentence for every new idiom.
- Group similar idioms: Organise expressions by topics such as happiness, work, money or relationships.
- Listen for idioms: Notice how expressions are used in conversations, films and podcasts.
- Review regularly: Revisit newly learned idioms after a few days.
- Take more quizzes: Testing yourself helps you remember expressions more effectively.
Continue Learning English
Build Your Vocabulary Further → English Synonyms Quiz for Beginners
Move to the Next Vocabulary Level → Intermediate English Synonyms Quiz
Challenge Your Vocabulary Skills → Advanced English Synonyms Quiz
Discover Useful Everyday Expressions → 10 Most Common English Idioms and Phrases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a fixed expression whose overall meaning cannot always be understood from the individual words it contains. For example, under the weather means feeling unwell.
Is this English idioms quiz suitable for beginners?
Yes. The quiz uses 20 common English idioms that beginners are likely to encounter in everyday conversations, films, books and online content.
Why should English learners study idioms?
Idioms help learners understand natural English. Knowing common expressions can improve reading comprehension, listening skills and conversational fluency.
How many English idioms should I learn each day?
Learning three to five idioms at a time is a manageable goal. Concentrate on understanding each expression and using it in an original sentence.
How can I remember English idioms?
Learn each idiom inside a meaningful sentence, connect it with a situation and review it regularly. Quizzes and flashcards can also strengthen your memory.
Final Thoughts
English idioms may appear confusing at first, but they become easier when you learn them in context. Regular reading, listening and quiz practice will help you recognise these expressions and use them more naturally.
How many questions did you answer correctly? Share your score in the comments and revisit the quiz later to see whether you can achieve 20 out of 20!
Loved it! Am a TEFL Teacher so love any English challenges!
Thank you!