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 15 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
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.
on thin ice
the ball is in your court
once in a blue moon
A picture is worth a thousand words.
A.in a risky position
B.very rarely
C.An image can explain more than a long description.
D.it is your turn to decide or act
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
hit the nail on the head
bite off more than you can chew
break the ice
Every dog has its day.
A.say something exactly right
B.Everyone has a moment of success sometime.
C.take on more than you can manage
D.help people relax when they first meet
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
Out of sight, out of mind.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
a blessing in disguise
Curiosity killed the cat.
A.something that seemed bad but turned out well
B.The one who complains loudest gets attention.
C.Being too nosy can get you into trouble.
D.People forget what they no longer see.
LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 15 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning
Set 15. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. on thin ice — A (in a risky position) 2. the ball is in your court — D (it is your turn to decide or act) 3. once in a blue moon — B (very rarely) 4. A picture is worth a thousand words. — C (An image can explain more than a long description.)
2.1. hit the nail on the head — A (say something exactly right) 2. bite off more than you can chew — C (take on more than you can manage) 3. break the ice — D (help people relax when they first meet) 4. Every dog has its day. — B (Everyone has a moment of success sometime.)
3.1. Out of sight, out of mind. — D (People forget what they no longer see.) 2. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. — B (The one who complains loudest gets attention.) 3. a blessing in disguise — A (something that seemed bad but turned out well) 4. Curiosity killed the cat. — C (Being too nosy can get you into trouble.)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.