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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 13 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."Break a leg!" What does this really mean?
  • A.Good luck.
  • B.Injure your leg.
3."He was on cloud nine." What does this really mean?
  • A.He was extremely happy.
  • B.He was standing on a cloud.
4."It is raining cats and dogs." What does this really mean?
  • A.It is raining very hard.
  • B.Animals are falling from the sky.
5."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.
6."It costs an arm and a leg." What does this really mean?
  • A.The price is body parts.
  • B.It is very expensive.
7."As quiet as a mouse" What does this really mean?
  • A.making almost no sound
  • B.a small silent rodent
8."As light as a feather" What does this really mean?
  • A.weighing very little
  • B.a feather's actual weight

LessonPrint · RL.3.4 · Set 13 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — What the Phrase Really Means

Set 13. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.She gave away a secret.
  2. 2.Good luck.
  3. 3.He was extremely happy.
  4. 4.It is raining very hard.
  5. 5.Her smile was very warm and cheerful.
  6. 6.It is very expensive.
  7. 7.making almost no sound
  8. 8.weighing very little

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