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

One paper per pupil

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

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."As quiet as a mouse" What does this really mean?

A.a small silent rodent
B.making almost no sound

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 standing on a cloud.
B.He was extremely happy.

4."As light as a feather" What does this really mean?

A.a feather's actual weight
B.weighing very little

5."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.

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 busy as a bee" What does this really mean?

A.working very hard
B.an insect gathering pollen

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 14 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — What the Phrase Really Means

Set 14. Prints on its own sheet.

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

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