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 2 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.
Easy come, easy go.
break the ice
A.People forget what they no longer see.
B.What is gained without effort is easily lost.
C.in a risky position
D.help people relax when they first meet
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
Curiosity killed the cat.
hit the nail on the head
a blessing in disguise
once in a blue moon
A.Being too nosy can get you into trouble.
B.say something exactly right
C.something that seemed bad but turned out well
D.very rarely
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
bite off more than you can chew
the ball is in your court
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Slow and steady wins the race.
A.take on more than you can manage
B.it is your turn to decide or act
C.An image can explain more than a long description.
D.Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.
LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 2 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning
Set 2. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. on thin ice — C (in a risky position) 2. Out of sight, out of mind. — A (People forget what they no longer see.) 3. Easy come, easy go. — B (What is gained without effort is easily lost.) 4. break the ice — D (help people relax when they first meet)
2.1. Curiosity killed the cat. — A (Being too nosy can get you into trouble.) 2. hit the nail on the head — B (say something exactly right) 3. a blessing in disguise — C (something that seemed bad but turned out well) 4. once in a blue moon — D (very rarely)
3.1. bite off more than you can chew — A (take on more than you can manage) 2. the ball is in your court — B (it is your turn to decide or act) 3. A picture is worth a thousand words. — C (An image can explain more than a long description.) 4. Slow and steady wins the race. — D (Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.