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 18 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
Out of sight, out of mind.
call it a day
Curiosity killed the cat.
A.stop working for now
B.in a risky position
C.People forget what they no longer see.
D.Being too nosy can get you into trouble.
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
once in a blue moon
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Every dog has its day.
break the ice
A.You miss people more when they are away.
B.Everyone has a moment of success sometime.
C.help people relax when they first meet
D.very rarely
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
bite off more than you can chew
hit the nail on the head
A picture is worth a thousand words.
a blessing in disguise
A.take on more than you can manage
B.something that seemed bad but turned out well
C.An image can explain more than a long description.
D.say something exactly right
LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 18 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning
Set 18. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. on thin ice — B (in a risky position) 2. Out of sight, out of mind. — C (People forget what they no longer see.) 3. call it a day — A (stop working for now) 4. Curiosity killed the cat. — D (Being too nosy can get you into trouble.)
2.1. once in a blue moon — D (very rarely) 2. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. — A (You miss people more when they are away.) 3. Every dog has its day. — B (Everyone has a moment of success sometime.) 4. break the ice — C (help people relax when they first meet)
3.1. bite off more than you can chew — A (take on more than you can manage) 2. hit the nail on the head — D (say something exactly right) 3. A picture is worth a thousand words. — C (An image can explain more than a long description.) 4. a blessing in disguise — B (something that seemed bad but turned out well)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.