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