EnglishAges 10-12

Idioms & proverbs in context

Interpret common English idioms and traditional proverbs from their figurative context. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Age band:Ages 10-12 Ages 13-15

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12

Idioms & proverbs in context

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. What does the idiom “to cut corners” mean: to do something poorly or carelessly to save time or money, or to fold paper neatly?
“to cut corners” · Idioms & proverbs in context
2. What does the idiom “to burn the midnight oil” mean: to study or work late into the night, or to waste fuel?
What does the idiom “to bu… · Idioms & proverbs in context
3. What does the idiom “to see eye to eye” mean: to agree fully with someone, or to wear glasses?
“to see eye to eye” · Idioms & proverbs in context
4. What does the idiom “under the weather” mean: feeling slightly unwell, or standing outside in a storm?
“under the weather” · Idioms & proverbs in context
5. What does the idiom “the ball is in your court” mean: it is your turn to take action or make a decision, or the game is over?
What does the idiom “the b… · Idioms & proverbs in context
6. What does the idiom “to weather the storm” mean: to survive and come through a difficult period safely, or to measure rainfall?
What does the idiom “to we… · Idioms & proverbs in context
7. What does the idiom “a piece of cake” mean: a task that is very easy to accomplish, or a difficult puzzle?
“a piece of cake” · Idioms & proverbs in context
8. What does the idiom “to keep your chin up” mean: to stay cheerful and courageous during a tough situation, or to look at the ceiling?
What does the idiom “to ke… · Idioms & proverbs in context
9. What does the proverb “Don’t judge a book by its cover” teach: do not judge the value of something or someone by outward appearance alone, or never read books?
What does the proverb “Don… · Idioms & proverbs in context
10. What does the idiom “to bite off more than you can chew” mean: to take on a commitment that is too big to handle, or to eat breakfast quickly?
What does the idiom “to bi… · Idioms & proverbs in context
11. What does the proverb “Many hands make light work” mean: a large task becomes easier and faster when people cooperate and share it, or lamps are bright?
What does the proverb “Man… · Idioms & proverbs in context
12. What does the idiom “to break the ice” mean: to make people feel relaxed in a new social situation, or to freeze water?
“to break the ice” · Idioms & proverbs in context

12 questions · Seed 51 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12

Idioms & proverbs in context

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. What does the idiom “to cut corners” mean: to do something poorly or carelessly to save time or money, or to fold paper neatly?
To do something poorly or carelessly to save time or money
Cutting corners skips important steps at the expense of quality or safety.
2. What does the idiom “to burn the midnight oil” mean: to study or work late into the night, or to waste fuel?
To study or work late into the night
It alludes to working by lamplight late at night.
3. What does the idiom “to see eye to eye” mean: to agree fully with someone, or to wear glasses?
To agree fully with someone
Seeing eye to eye means sharing the same viewpoint or opinion.
4. What does the idiom “under the weather” mean: feeling slightly unwell, or standing outside in a storm?
Feeling slightly unwell
Feeling “under the weather” means feeling mildly ill or tired.
5. What does the idiom “the ball is in your court” mean: it is your turn to take action or make a decision, or the game is over?
It is your turn to take action or make a decision
Borrowed from tennis, it means responsibility for the next move rests with you.
6. What does the idiom “to weather the storm” mean: to survive and come through a difficult period safely, or to measure rainfall?
To survive and come through a difficult period safely
Like a ship enduring a gale at sea, it means enduring hardship without giving up.
7. What does the idiom “a piece of cake” mean: a task that is very easy to accomplish, or a difficult puzzle?
A task that is very easy to accomplish
Calling something “a piece of cake” means it is effortless or straightforward.
8. What does the idiom “to keep your chin up” mean: to stay cheerful and courageous during a tough situation, or to look at the ceiling?
To stay cheerful and courageous during a tough situation
It is an expression of encouragement to remain resilient.
9. What does the proverb “Don’t judge a book by its cover” teach: do not judge the value of something or someone by outward appearance alone, or never read books?
Do not judge the value of something or someone by outward appearance alone
External appearances can be misleading compared to inner quality.
10. What does the idiom “to bite off more than you can chew” mean: to take on a commitment that is too big to handle, or to eat breakfast quickly?
To take on a commitment that is too big to handle
It means accepting more responsibility than one can manage.
11. What does the proverb “Many hands make light work” mean: a large task becomes easier and faster when people cooperate and share it, or lamps are bright?
A large task becomes easier and faster when people cooperate and share it
Teamwork distributes effort so no single person is overwhelmed.
12. What does the idiom “to break the ice” mean: to make people feel relaxed in a new social situation, or to freeze water?
To make people feel relaxed in a new social situation
“Breaking the ice” means overcoming initial shyness when people first meet.

12 questions · Seed 51 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 10-12

Idioms & proverbs in context

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. What does the idiom “to cut corners” mean: to do something poorly or carelessly to save time or money, or to fold paper neatly?
“to cut corners” · Idioms & proverbs in context
2. What does the idiom “to burn the midnight oil” mean: to study or work late into the night, or to waste fuel?
What does the idiom “to bu… · Idioms & proverbs in context
3. What does the idiom “to see eye to eye” mean: to agree fully with someone, or to wear glasses?
“to see eye to eye” · Idioms & proverbs in context
4. What does the idiom “under the weather” mean: feeling slightly unwell, or standing outside in a storm?
“under the weather” · Idioms & proverbs in context
5. What does the idiom “the ball is in your court” mean: it is your turn to take action or make a decision, or the game is over?
What does the idiom “the b… · Idioms & proverbs in context
6. What does the idiom “to weather the storm” mean: to survive and come through a difficult period safely, or to measure rainfall?
What does the idiom “to we… · Idioms & proverbs in context
7. What does the idiom “a piece of cake” mean: a task that is very easy to accomplish, or a difficult puzzle?
“a piece of cake” · Idioms & proverbs in context
8. What does the idiom “to keep your chin up” mean: to stay cheerful and courageous during a tough situation, or to look at the ceiling?
What does the idiom “to ke… · Idioms & proverbs in context
9. What does the proverb “Don’t judge a book by its cover” teach: do not judge the value of something or someone by outward appearance alone, or never read books?
What does the proverb “Don… · Idioms & proverbs in context
10. What does the idiom “to bite off more than you can chew” mean: to take on a commitment that is too big to handle, or to eat breakfast quickly?
What does the idiom “to bi… · Idioms & proverbs in context
11. What does the proverb “Many hands make light work” mean: a large task becomes easier and faster when people cooperate and share it, or lamps are bright?
What does the proverb “Man… · Idioms & proverbs in context
12. What does the idiom “to break the ice” mean: to make people feel relaxed in a new social situation, or to freeze water?
“to break the ice” · Idioms & proverbs in context

12 questions · Seed 51 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 10-12

Idioms & proverbs in context

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. What does the idiom “to cut corners” mean: to do something poorly or carelessly to save time or money, or to fold paper neatly?
To do something poorly or carelessly to save time or money
Cutting corners skips important steps at the expense of quality or safety.
2. What does the idiom “to burn the midnight oil” mean: to study or work late into the night, or to waste fuel?
To study or work late into the night
It alludes to working by lamplight late at night.
3. What does the idiom “to see eye to eye” mean: to agree fully with someone, or to wear glasses?
To agree fully with someone
Seeing eye to eye means sharing the same viewpoint or opinion.
4. What does the idiom “under the weather” mean: feeling slightly unwell, or standing outside in a storm?
Feeling slightly unwell
Feeling “under the weather” means feeling mildly ill or tired.
5. What does the idiom “the ball is in your court” mean: it is your turn to take action or make a decision, or the game is over?
It is your turn to take action or make a decision
Borrowed from tennis, it means responsibility for the next move rests with you.
6. What does the idiom “to weather the storm” mean: to survive and come through a difficult period safely, or to measure rainfall?
To survive and come through a difficult period safely
Like a ship enduring a gale at sea, it means enduring hardship without giving up.
7. What does the idiom “a piece of cake” mean: a task that is very easy to accomplish, or a difficult puzzle?
A task that is very easy to accomplish
Calling something “a piece of cake” means it is effortless or straightforward.
8. What does the idiom “to keep your chin up” mean: to stay cheerful and courageous during a tough situation, or to look at the ceiling?
To stay cheerful and courageous during a tough situation
It is an expression of encouragement to remain resilient.
9. What does the proverb “Don’t judge a book by its cover” teach: do not judge the value of something or someone by outward appearance alone, or never read books?
Do not judge the value of something or someone by outward appearance alone
External appearances can be misleading compared to inner quality.
10. What does the idiom “to bite off more than you can chew” mean: to take on a commitment that is too big to handle, or to eat breakfast quickly?
To take on a commitment that is too big to handle
It means accepting more responsibility than one can manage.
11. What does the proverb “Many hands make light work” mean: a large task becomes easier and faster when people cooperate and share it, or lamps are bright?
A large task becomes easier and faster when people cooperate and share it
Teamwork distributes effort so no single person is overwhelmed.
12. What does the idiom “to break the ice” mean: to make people feel relaxed in a new social situation, or to freeze water?
To make people feel relaxed in a new social situation
“Breaking the ice” means overcoming initial shyness when people first meet.

12 questions · Seed 51 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification