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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.

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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
  • The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
  • Every dog has its day.
  • once in a blue moon
  • A.very rarely
  • B.The one who complains loudest gets attention.
  • C.help people relax when they first meet
  • D.Everyone has a moment of success sometime.
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
  • Out of sight, out of mind.
  • Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
  • A picture is worth a thousand words.
  • bite off more than you can chew
  • A.People forget what they no longer see.
  • B.take on more than you can manage
  • C.An image can explain more than a long description.
  • D.You miss people more when they are away.
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
  • the ball is in your court
  • Easy come, easy go.
  • Slow and steady wins the race.
  • Curiosity killed the cat.
  • A.What is gained without effort is easily lost.
  • B.it is your turn to decide or act
  • C.Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.
  • D.Being too nosy can get you into trouble.

LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 3 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning

Set 3. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. break the ice — C (help people relax when they first meet) 2. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. — B (The one who complains loudest gets attention.) 3. Every dog has its day. — D (Everyone has a moment of success sometime.) 4. once in a blue moon — A (very rarely)
  2. 2.1. Out of sight, out of mind. — A (People forget what they no longer see.) 2. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. — D (You miss people more when they are away.) 3. A picture is worth a thousand words. — C (An image can explain more than a long description.) 4. bite off more than you can chew — B (take on more than you can manage)
  3. 3.1. the ball is in your court — B (it is your turn to decide or act) 2. Easy come, easy go. — A (What is gained without effort is easily lost.) 3. Slow and steady wins the race. — C (Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.) 4. Curiosity killed the cat. — D (Being too nosy can get you into trouble.)

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.