Skip to content
LessonPrint

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 18 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

Next setLesson plan

One paper per pupil

12345678910111213141516171819202122232425

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.Clouds are edged with silver.
  • B.Something good can be found in a bad situation.
2."He was on cloud nine." What does this really mean?
  • A.He was standing on a cloud.
  • B.He was extremely happy.
3."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.
4."She let the cat out of the bag." What does this really mean?
  • A.She released a cat from a bag.
  • B.She gave away a secret.
5."Do not judge a book by its cover." What does this really mean?
  • A.Books should be read before rating.
  • B.Do not decide what something is worth from its appearance.
6."Practice makes perfect." What does this really mean?
  • A.Doing something repeatedly makes you good at it.
  • B.Practising creates perfection.
7."Hold your horses." What does this really mean?
  • A.Grip some horses.
  • B.Wait and slow down.
8."It costs an arm and a leg." What does this really mean?
  • A.The price is body parts.
  • B.It is very expensive.

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

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.