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 5 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.
Curiosity killed the cat.
bite off more than you can chew
on thin ice
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
A.You miss people more when they are away.
B.Being too nosy can get you into trouble.
C.take on more than you can manage
D.in a risky position
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
break the ice
once in a blue moon
A.help people relax when they first meet
B.The one who complains loudest gets attention.
C.An image can explain more than a long description.
D.very rarely
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Easy come, easy go.
a blessing in disguise
the ball is in your court
A.What is gained without effort is easily lost.
B.Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.
C.it is your turn to decide or act
D.something that seemed bad but turned out well
LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 5 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning
Set 5. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Curiosity killed the cat. — B (Being too nosy can get you into trouble.) 2. bite off more than you can chew — C (take on more than you can manage) 3. on thin ice — D (in a risky position) 4. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. — A (You miss people more when they are away.)
2.1. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. — B (The one who complains loudest gets attention.) 2. A picture is worth a thousand words. — C (An image can explain more than a long description.) 3. break the ice — A (help people relax when they first meet) 4. once in a blue moon — D (very rarely)
3.1. Slow and steady wins the race. — B (Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.) 2. Easy come, easy go. — A (What is gained without effort is easily lost.) 3. a blessing in disguise — D (something that seemed bad but turned out well) 4. the ball is in your court — C (it is your turn to decide or act)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.