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 21 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.
break the ice
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Slow and steady wins the race.
on thin ice
A.in a risky position
B.help people relax when they first meet
C.Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.
D.You miss people more when they are away.
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
Every dog has its day.
Easy come, easy go.
Curiosity killed the cat.
hit the nail on the head
A.Being too nosy can get you into trouble.
B.say something exactly right
C.What is gained without effort is easily lost.
D.Everyone has a moment of success sometime.
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
call it a day
bite off more than you can chew
a blessing in disguise
Out of sight, out of mind.
A.stop working for now
B.something that seemed bad but turned out well
C.People forget what they no longer see.
D.take on more than you can manage
LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 21 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning
Set 21. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. break the ice — B (help people relax when they first meet) 2. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. — D (You miss people more when they are away.) 3. Slow and steady wins the race. — C (Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.) 4. on thin ice — A (in a risky position)
2.1. Every dog has its day. — D (Everyone has a moment of success sometime.) 2. Easy come, easy go. — C (What is gained without effort is easily lost.) 3. Curiosity killed the cat. — A (Being too nosy can get you into trouble.) 4. hit the nail on the head — B (say something exactly right)
3.1. call it a day — A (stop working for now) 2. bite off more than you can chew — D (take on more than you can manage) 3. a blessing in disguise — B (something that seemed bad but turned out well) 4. Out of sight, out of mind. — C (People forget what they no longer see.)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.