Idioms are those curious turns of phrase that don’t quite mean what they say — yet they carry centuries of culture, history, and imagination inside them. They give language its colour and rhythm, turning ordinary speech into something lively and memorable. Take the idiom “The writing is on the wall”, for example: it doesn’t literally mean words painted on bricks, but rather a warning sign that trouble is coming.
In this quiz, you’ll encounter both well-loved classics and a few trickier gems that might surprise you. Along the way, you’ll discover the quirky origins and hidden meanings behind each expression. Ready to see just how fluent you are in the art of idioms?
Quiz
Quiz :
💡 What Are Idioms?
Idioms are more than just quirky sayings — they’re cultural snapshots. They capture humour, wisdom, and everyday experiences in ways that literal language never could. Because their meanings can’t always be guessed word for word, they can be a real challenge for learners, but they also open the door to deeper cultural understanding.
English, in particular, is full of idioms — drawn from history, literature, religion, sports, and even old-fashioned farming. They make conversations more colourful, lively, and memorable.
Here are some classic idioms (not included in the quiz), along with their meanings and origins:
🍎 Food Idioms
Apple of someone’s eye → A person who is deeply cherished.
Spill the beans → To reveal a secret.
Sour grapes → Pretending you didn’t want something after failing to get it.
🐾 Animal Idioms
The elephant in the room → An obvious problem no one wants to discuss.
Let the cat out of the bag → Accidentally reveal a secret.
Hold your horses → Wait and be patient.
Wild goose chase → A pointless or hopeless pursuit.
⚽ Sports Idioms
Out of left field → Something unexpected or surprising.
Throw in a curveball → To present an unexpected problem or challenge.
Step up to the plate → To take responsibility and face a challenge.
The English language has over 25,000 idiomatic expressions — more than almost any other language.
🎭 English Idioms Inspired by Shakespeare
When it comes to idioms, few writers have left a bigger mark than William Shakespeare. His plays introduced hundreds of phrases that slipped into everyday English, many of which we still use without realising their origin.
Expressions like “wild-goose chase” (Romeo and Juliet), “in a pickle” (The Tempest), “break the ice” (The Taming of the Shrew), and “wear your heart on your sleeve” (Othello) all began as lines in his works. Creativity didn’t just entertain audiences—it enriched the English language with colourful metaphors that continue to shape how we speak today. Take a deeper look at the Shakespearean expression "the green-eyed monster", from the play Othello:
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