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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 2 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 busy as a bee" What does this really mean?
  • A.working very hard
  • B.an insect gathering pollen
2."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.
3."Hold your horses." What does this really mean?
  • A.Grip some horses.
  • B.Wait and slow down.
4."As quiet as a mouse" What does this really mean?
  • A.a small silent rodent
  • B.making almost no sound
5."It costs an arm and a leg." What does this really mean?
  • A.The price is body parts.
  • B.It is very expensive.
6."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.
7."As light as a feather" What does this really mean?
  • A.weighing very little
  • B.a feather's actual weight
8."He was on cloud nine." What does this really mean?
  • A.He was standing on a cloud.
  • B.He was extremely happy.

LessonPrint · RL.3.4 · Set 2 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — What the Phrase Really Means

Set 2. Prints on its own sheet.

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

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