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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 10 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

What the Phrase Really Means

RL.3.4

NameDate

Tick the right answer.

1."She let the cat out of the bag." What does this really mean?
  • A.She gave away a secret.
  • B.She released a cat from a bag.
2."It is raining cats and dogs." What does this really mean?
  • A.It is raining very hard.
  • B.Animals are falling from the sky.
3."Her smile was as bright as the sun." What does this really mean?
  • A.Her smile was very warm and cheerful.
  • B.Her smile gave off sunlight.
4."Break a leg!" What does this really mean?
  • A.Good luck.
  • B.Injure your leg.
5."He was on cloud nine." What does this really mean?
  • A.He was standing on a cloud.
  • B.He was extremely happy.
6."Hold your horses." What does this really mean?
  • A.Wait and slow down.
  • B.Grip some horses.
7."As light as a feather" What does this really mean?
  • A.weighing very little
  • B.a feather's actual weight
8."It costs an arm and a leg." What does this really mean?
  • A.It is very expensive.
  • B.The price is body parts.

LessonPrint · RL.3.4 · Set 10 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — What the Phrase Really Means

Set 10. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.She gave away a secret.
  2. 2.It is raining very hard.
  3. 3.Her smile was very warm and cheerful.
  4. 4.Good luck.
  5. 5.He was extremely happy.
  6. 6.Wait and slow down.
  7. 7.weighing very little
  8. 8.It is very expensive.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to RL.3.4 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.