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Similes, Metaphors and Idioms is a free printable Grade 4 English worksheet on explaining what a figure of speech actually means, aligned to Common Core standard L.4.5. 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 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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One paper per pupil

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All 25 sets ask different questions.

Similes, Metaphors and Idioms

L.4.5

NameDate

Tick the right answer.

1."Break a leg!" What does this really mean?
  • A.Good luck.
  • B.Injure your leg.
2."He was on cloud nine." What does this really mean?
  • A.He was extremely happy.
  • B.He was standing on a cloud.
3."Do not judge a book by its cover." What does this really mean?
  • A.Do not decide what something is worth from its appearance.
  • B.Books should be read before rating.
4."Practice makes perfect." What does this really mean?
  • A.Doing something repeatedly makes you good at it.
  • B.Practising creates perfection.
5."The early bird catches the worm." What does this really mean?
  • A.Those who act first do best.
  • B.Birds that wake early find food.
6."Hold your horses." What does this really mean?
  • A.Wait and slow down.
  • B.Grip some horses.
7."Every cloud has a silver lining." What does this really mean?
  • A.Clouds are edged with silver.
  • B.Something good can be found in a bad situation.
8."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.

LessonPrint · L.4.5 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Similes, Metaphors and Idioms

Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Good luck.
  2. 2.He was extremely happy.
  3. 3.Do not decide what something is worth from its appearance.
  4. 4.Doing something repeatedly makes you good at it.
  5. 5.Those who act first do best.
  6. 6.Wait and slow down.
  7. 7.Something good can be found in a bad situation.
  8. 8.She gave away a secret.

Questions about Similes, Metaphors and Idioms

What does the Similes, Metaphors and Idioms worksheet cover?

It practises explaining what a figure of speech actually means — 8 questions for Grade 4, all on Common Core L.4.5: Explain similes, metaphors, idioms, proverbs, antonyms and synonyms. The instruction to pupils is “Tick the right answer”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.

Which Common Core standard does Similes, Metaphors and Idioms practise?

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.5 — L.4.5, in the Language domain for Grade 4. The published standard reads: “Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.

What age or grade is this worksheet for?

Similes, Metaphors and Idioms is written for Grade 4, typically ages 9-10. It is one of the sheets on L.4.5, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.

Does Similes, Metaphors and Idioms come with an answer key?

Yes. All 8 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.

How many different versions of Similes, Metaphors and Idioms can I print?

25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.

Is Similes, Metaphors and Idioms free to print and photocopy?

Yes. Similes, Metaphors and Idioms, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.

Is there a lesson plan to teach L.4.5?

Yes — “Similes, Metaphors, Idioms and Proverbs” is a 40-minute Grade 4 plan for L.4.5, timed section by section, with the misconceptions to expect and an exit ticket. Similes, Metaphors and Idioms is the practice that follows it.

More practice for L.4.5

Explain similes, metaphors, idioms, proverbs, antonyms and synonyms.

Teaching this next? Similes, Metaphors, Idioms and Proverbs is the 40-minute plan for it, with the misconceptions to expect.

All Grade 4 worksheets

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.4.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.