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 19 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.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
on thin ice
a blessing in disguise
Slow and steady wins the race.
A.You miss people more when they are away.
B.something that seemed bad but turned out well
C.in a risky position
D.Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
Curiosity killed the cat.
the ball is in your court
Out of sight, out of mind.
call it a day
A.Being too nosy can get you into trouble.
B.stop working for now
C.People forget what they no longer see.
D.it is your turn to decide or act
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
hit the nail on the head
Every dog has its day.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
bite off more than you can chew
A.The one who complains loudest gets attention.
B.say something exactly right
C.take on more than you can manage
D.Everyone has a moment of success sometime.
LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 19 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning
Set 19. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. — A (You miss people more when they are away.) 2. on thin ice — C (in a risky position) 3. a blessing in disguise — B (something that seemed bad but turned out well) 4. Slow and steady wins the race. — D (Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.)
2.1. Curiosity killed the cat. — A (Being too nosy can get you into trouble.) 2. the ball is in your court — D (it is your turn to decide or act) 3. Out of sight, out of mind. — C (People forget what they no longer see.) 4. call it a day — B (stop working for now)
3.1. hit the nail on the head — B (say something exactly right) 2. Every dog has its day. — D (Everyone has a moment of success sometime.) 3. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. — A (The one who complains loudest gets attention.) 4. bite off more than you can chew — C (take on more than you can manage)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.