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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 15 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."As light as a feather" What does this really mean?
  • A.a feather's actual weight
  • B.weighing very little
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."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.
4."He was on cloud nine." What does this really mean?
  • A.He was extremely happy.
  • B.He was standing on a cloud.
5."Break a leg!" What does this really mean?
  • A.Injure your leg.
  • B.Good luck.
6."As busy as a bee" What does this really mean?
  • A.working very hard
  • B.an insect gathering pollen
7."It costs an arm and a leg." What does this really mean?
  • A.It is very expensive.
  • B.The price is body parts.
8."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.

LessonPrint · RL.3.4 · Set 15 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — What the Phrase Really Means

Set 15. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.weighing very little
  2. 2.It is raining very hard.
  3. 3.She gave away a secret.
  4. 4.He was extremely happy.
  5. 5.Good luck.
  6. 6.working very hard
  7. 7.It is very expensive.
  8. 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.