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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 9 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."It is raining cats and dogs." What does this really mean?
  • A.It is raining very hard.
  • B.Animals are falling from the sky.
2."As busy as a bee" What does this really mean?
  • A.working very hard
  • B.an insect gathering pollen
3."He was on cloud nine." What does this really mean?
  • A.He was extremely happy.
  • B.He was standing on a cloud.
4."As quiet as a mouse" What does this really mean?
  • A.a small silent rodent
  • B.making almost no sound
5."Hold your horses." What does this really mean?
  • A.Grip some horses.
  • B.Wait and slow down.
6."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.
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 9 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — What the Phrase Really Means

Set 9. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.It is raining very hard.
  2. 2.working very hard
  3. 3.He was extremely happy.
  4. 4.making almost no sound
  5. 5.Wait and slow down.
  6. 6.She gave away a secret.
  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.