Idioms in context

Choose an idiom for a clearly described situation, then read its nonliteral meaning.

Choose the answer that fits the stated context. Read the explanation after every answer. Try a ten-question round, then revisit any missed items.

All answers and reasons
I visit that distant town very rarely, perhaps once in five years. I go there ___.
once in a blue moon Once in a blue moon means very rarely. The example describes infrequent visits, not the moon. Read the guide
Everyone now understands and agrees on the plan. We are ___.
on the same page On the same page means sharing an understanding or agreement about something. Read the guide
The first few minutes with strangers felt awkward. A simple introduction helped us ___.
break the ice Break the ice means help people begin interacting more comfortably. Read the guide
That task was extremely easy for me. It was ___.
a piece of cake A piece of cake informally describes something easy to do. It does not mean a snack here. Read the guide
I feel a little ill today, so I will rest. I am ___.
under the weather Under the weather informally means feeling unwell. It is not a weather report. Read the guide
The party was meant to be a secret, but Kai told everyone. Kai ___.
spilled the beans Spill the beans means reveal information intended to stay secret. Read the guide
The repairs were extremely expensive. They ___.
cost an arm and a leg Cost an arm and a leg means cost a very large amount. It is figurative. Read the guide
I have sent you the proposal; you must decide the next step. Now ___.
the ball is in your court The ball is in your court means it is your turn or responsibility to act. Read the guide
We are both dealing with the same delayed flight. We are ___.
in the same boat In the same boat means in the same situation, often a difficult one. Read the guide
The good news made me extremely happy. I was ___.
over the moon Over the moon informally means very happy or delighted. Read the guide
No one expected the message. It arrived ___.
out of the blue Out of the blue means unexpectedly. No literal color is involved here. Read the guide
I missed the application deadline, so I lost that opportunity. I ___.
missed the boat Miss the boat means lose an opportunity by failing to act in time. Read the guide

Use the context

  • These informal expressions have nonliteral meanings. Clear literal language is always an option.
  • Meanings were checked against Cambridge Dictionary; all situations and explanations here are newly written. No origin stories or universal-usage claims are made.

Keep practising

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Study all questions, answers and explanations

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  1. I visit that distant town very rarely, perhaps once in five years. I go there ___.

    once in a blue moon
    Once in a blue moon means very rarely. The example describes infrequent visits, not the moon.

  2. Everyone now understands and agrees on the plan. We are ___.

    on the same page
    On the same page means sharing an understanding or agreement about something.

  3. The first few minutes with strangers felt awkward. A simple introduction helped us ___.

    break the ice
    Break the ice means help people begin interacting more comfortably.

  4. That task was extremely easy for me. It was ___.

    a piece of cake
    A piece of cake informally describes something easy to do. It does not mean a snack here.

  5. I feel a little ill today, so I will rest. I am ___.

    under the weather
    Under the weather informally means feeling unwell. It is not a weather report.

  6. The party was meant to be a secret, but Kai told everyone. Kai ___.

    spilled the beans
    Spill the beans means reveal information intended to stay secret.

  7. The repairs were extremely expensive. They ___.

    cost an arm and a leg
    Cost an arm and a leg means cost a very large amount. It is figurative.

  8. I have sent you the proposal; you must decide the next step. Now ___.

    the ball is in your court
    The ball is in your court means it is your turn or responsibility to act.

  9. We are both dealing with the same delayed flight. We are ___.

    in the same boat
    In the same boat means in the same situation, often a difficult one.

  10. The good news made me extremely happy. I was ___.

    over the moon
    Over the moon informally means very happy or delighted.

  11. No one expected the message. It arrived ___.

    out of the blue
    Out of the blue means unexpectedly. No literal color is involved here.

  12. I missed the application deadline, so I lost that opportunity. I ___.

    missed the boat
    Miss the boat means lose an opportunity by failing to act in time.

Meaning reference: Cambridge Dictionary. The situations and explanations on this page are original. These informal expressions are optional; clear literal language works too.

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