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Match the Saying to Its Meaning is a free printable Grade 5 English worksheet on joining an idiom or adage to what it means, aligned to Common Core standard L.5.5. It prints 3 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.

Match the Saying to Its Meaning

L.5.5

NameDate

Write the letter of the meaning next to each one.

1.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
  • Every dog has its day.
  • once in a blue moon
  • call it a day
  • bite off more than you can chew
  • A.take on more than you can manage
  • B.very rarely
  • C.Everyone has a moment of success sometime.
  • D.stop working for now
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
  • a blessing in disguise
  • the ball is in your court
  • Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
  • hit the nail on the head
  • A.something that seemed bad but turned out well
  • B.it is your turn to decide or act
  • C.say something exactly right
  • D.You miss people more when they are away.
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
  • Curiosity killed the cat.
  • The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
  • break the ice
  • on thin ice
  • A.help people relax when they first meet
  • B.The one who complains loudest gets attention.
  • C.in a risky position
  • D.Being too nosy can get you into trouble.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 12 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning

Set 12. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. Every dog has its day. — C (Everyone has a moment of success sometime.) 2. once in a blue moon — B (very rarely) 3. call it a day — D (stop working for now) 4. bite off more than you can chew — A (take on more than you can manage)
  2. 2.1. a blessing in disguise — A (something that seemed bad but turned out well) 2. the ball is in your court — B (it is your turn to decide or act) 3. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. — D (You miss people more when they are away.) 4. hit the nail on the head — C (say something exactly right)
  3. 3.1. Curiosity killed the cat. — D (Being too nosy can get you into trouble.) 2. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. — B (The one who complains loudest gets attention.) 3. break the ice — A (help people relax when they first meet) 4. on thin ice — C (in a risky position)

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.