What the Phrase Really Means is a free printable Grade 3 English worksheet on explaining an idiom, simile or metaphor, aligned to Common Core standard RL.3.4. It prints 8 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
2."She let the cat out of the bag." What does this really mean?
A.She released a cat from a bag.
B.She gave away a secret.
3."He was on cloud nine." What does this really mean?
A.He was standing on a cloud.
B.He was extremely happy.
4."It is raining cats and dogs." What does this really mean?
A.Animals are falling from the sky.
B.It is raining very hard.
5."As quiet as a mouse" What does this really mean?
A.making almost no sound
B.a small silent rodent
6."As light as a feather" What does this really mean?
A.weighing very little
B.a feather's actual weight
7."It costs an arm and a leg." What does this really mean?
A.The price is body parts.
B.It is very expensive.
8."Her smile was as bright as the sun." What does this really mean?
A.Her smile gave off sunlight.
B.Her smile was very warm and cheerful.
LessonPrint · RL.3.4 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — What the Phrase Really Means
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.Good luck.
2.She gave away a secret.
3.He was extremely happy.
4.It is raining very hard.
5.making almost no sound
6.weighing very little
7.It is very expensive.
8.Her smile was very warm and cheerful.
Questions about What the Phrase Really Means
What does the What the Phrase Really Means worksheet cover?
It practises explaining an idiom, simile or metaphor — 8 questions for Grade 3, all on Common Core RL.3.4: Tell when words mean what they say and when they do not. The instruction to pupils is “Tick the right answer”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does What the Phrase Really Means practise?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.4 — RL.3.4, in the Reading: Literature domain for Grade 3. The published standard reads: “Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
What the Phrase Really Means is written for Grade 3, typically ages 8-9. It is one of the sheets on RL.3.4, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does What the Phrase Really Means come with an answer key?
Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of What the Phrase Really Means can I print?
25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is What the Phrase Really Means free to print and photocopy?
Yes. What the Phrase Really Means, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
More practice for RL.3.4
Tell when words mean what they say and when they do not.