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 24 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.
the ball is in your court
Easy come, easy go.
once in a blue moon
on thin ice
A.it is your turn to decide or act
B.very rarely
C.in a risky position
D.What is gained without effort is easily lost.
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Out of sight, out of mind.
bite off more than you can chew
Curiosity killed the cat.
A.Being too nosy can get you into trouble.
B.The one who complains loudest gets attention.
C.People forget what they no longer see.
D.take on more than you can manage
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
call it a day
Slow and steady wins the race.
hit the nail on the head
a blessing in disguise
A.stop working for now
B.say something exactly right
C.something that seemed bad but turned out well
D.Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.
LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 24 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning
Set 24. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. the ball is in your court — A (it is your turn to decide or act) 2. Easy come, easy go. — D (What is gained without effort is easily lost.) 3. once in a blue moon — B (very rarely) 4. on thin ice — C (in a risky position)
2.1. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. — B (The one who complains loudest gets attention.) 2. Out of sight, out of mind. — C (People forget what they no longer see.) 3. bite off more than you can chew — D (take on more than you can manage) 4. Curiosity killed the cat. — A (Being too nosy can get you into trouble.)
3.1. call it a day — A (stop working for now) 2. Slow and steady wins the race. — D (Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.) 3. hit the nail on the head — B (say something exactly right) 4. a blessing in disguise — C (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.