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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 18 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."Grandpa is a walking dictionary." What does this metaphor mean?
  • A.Grandpa walks a long way.
  • B.Grandpa is a book.
  • C.Grandpa knows the meanings of a great many words.
2."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.
3."She ran like the wind." What does this simile mean?
  • A.She ran very fast.
  • B.She blew around.
  • C.She ran slowly.
4."He is feeling under the weather." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.He is feeling a little ill.
  • B.He is very happy.
  • C.He is standing under a cloud.
5."Tell me what happened. I'm all ears." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.I am listening carefully.
  • B.I cannot hear you.
  • C.I have a great many ears.
6."His bedroom was a pigsty." What does this metaphor mean?
  • A.His bedroom was neat.
  • B.His bedroom was very messy.
  • C.Pigs lived in his bedroom.
7."Keep an eye on your little brother." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.Close one eye.
  • B.Watch your little brother carefully.
  • C.Put your eye on him.
8."The test was a piece of cake." What does this idiom mean?
  • A.The test was very easy.
  • B.The test was hard.
  • C.The test was about cake.

LessonPrint · L.4.5 · Set 18 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Similes, Metaphors and Idioms

Set 18. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.Grandpa knows the meanings of a great many words.
  2. 2.The water was so still it reflected everything.
  3. 3.She ran very fast.
  4. 4.He is feeling a little ill.
  5. 5.I am listening carefully.
  6. 6.His bedroom was very messy.
  7. 7.Watch your little brother carefully.
  8. 8.The test was very easy.

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.