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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 students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 12 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

Circle the right answer.

1."The lake was a mirror." What does this metaphor mean?
  • A.The lake was made of glass.
  • B.The water was so still it reflected everything.
  • C.Somebody put a mirror in the lake.
2."We are all in the same boat." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.We are going fishing.
  • B.We are sitting in one boat.
  • C.We are all in the same difficult situation.
3."She ran like the wind." What does this simile mean?
  • A.She ran slowly.
  • B.She blew around.
  • C.She ran very fast.
4."The baby's cheeks were as red as apples." What does this simile mean?
  • A.The baby was eating apples.
  • B.The baby's cheeks were very red.
  • C.The baby's cheeks were pale.
5."Keep an eye on your little brother." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.Close one eye.
  • B.Put your eye on him.
  • C.Watch your little brother carefully.
6."Tell me what happened. I'm all ears." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.I cannot hear you.
  • B.I am listening carefully.
  • C.I have a great many ears.
7."His bedroom was a pigsty." What does this metaphor mean?
  • A.His bedroom was very messy.
  • B.Pigs lived in his bedroom.
  • C.His bedroom was neat.
8."He is feeling under the weather." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.He is very happy.
  • B.He is standing under a cloud.
  • C.He is feeling a little ill.

LessonPrint · L.4.5 · Set 12 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Similes, Metaphors and Idioms

Set 12. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.The water was so still it reflected everything.
  2. 2.We are all in the same difficult situation.
  3. 3.She ran very fast.
  4. 4.The baby's cheeks were very red.
  5. 5.Watch your little brother carefully.
  6. 6.I am listening carefully.
  7. 7.His bedroom was very messy.
  8. 8.He is feeling a little ill.

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.