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 20 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 light as a feather" What does this really mean?

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

2."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.

3."As busy as a bee" What does this really mean?

A.working very hard
B.an insect gathering pollen

4."Break a leg!" What does this really mean?

A.Injure your leg.
B.Good luck.

5."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.

6."He was on cloud nine." What does this really mean?

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

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

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

8."It costs an arm and a leg." What does this really mean?

A.The price is body parts.
B.It is very expensive.

LessonPrint · RL.3.4 · Set 20 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — What the Phrase Really Means

Set 20. Prints on its own sheet.

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