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 8 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.
hit the nail on the head
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Out of sight, out of mind.
bite off more than you can chew
A.say something exactly right
B.You miss people more when they are away.
C.take on more than you can manage
D.People forget what they no longer see.
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
Every dog has its day.
Easy come, easy go.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
A.An image can explain more than a long description.
B.What is gained without effort is easily lost.
C.Everyone has a moment of success sometime.
D.The one who complains loudest gets attention.
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
a blessing in disguise
Slow and steady wins the race.
on thin ice
call it a day
A.Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.
B.stop working for now
C.in a risky position
D.something that seemed bad but turned out well
LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 8 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning
Set 8. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. hit the nail on the head — A (say something exactly right) 2. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. — B (You miss people more when they are away.) 3. Out of sight, out of mind. — D (People forget what they no longer see.) 4. bite off more than you can chew — C (take on more than you can manage)
2.1. Every dog has its day. — C (Everyone has a moment of success sometime.) 2. Easy come, easy go. — B (What is gained without effort is easily lost.) 3. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. — D (The one who complains loudest gets attention.) 4. A picture is worth a thousand words. — A (An image can explain more than a long description.)
3.1. a blessing in disguise — D (something that seemed bad but turned out well) 2. Slow and steady wins the race. — A (Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.) 3. on thin ice — C (in a risky position) 4. call it a day — B (stop working for now)
Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to L.5.5 of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.