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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 10 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.

Similes, Metaphors and Idioms

L.4.5

NameDate

Tick the right answer.

1."Every cloud has a silver lining." What does this really mean?
  • A.Something good can be found in a bad situation.
  • B.Clouds are edged with silver.
2."He was on cloud nine." What does this really mean?
  • A.He was extremely happy.
  • B.He was standing on a cloud.
3."It is raining cats and dogs." What does this really mean?
  • A.Animals are falling from the sky.
  • B.It is raining very hard.
4."Practice makes perfect." What does this really mean?
  • A.Practising creates perfection.
  • B.Doing something repeatedly makes you good at it.
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 gave away a secret.
  • B.She released a cat from a bag.
7."The early bird catches the worm." What does this really mean?
  • A.Birds that wake early find food.
  • B.Those who act first do best.
8."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.

LessonPrint · L.4.5 · Set 10 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Similes, Metaphors and Idioms

Set 10. Prints on its own sheet.

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

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.

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