Languages › English as a Second Language Idiomatic Phrases Quiz - ESL Complete the gap to finish the idiomatic phrase Snug as a Bug in a Rug. Hero Images / Getty Images English as a Second Language Pronunciation & Conversation Vocabulary Writing Skills Reading Comprehension Grammar Business English Resources for Teachers By Kenneth Beare Kenneth Beare English as a Second Language (ESL) Expert TESOL Diploma, Trinity College London M.A., Music Performance, Cologne University of Music B.A., Vocal Performance, Eastman School of Music Kenneth Beare is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and course developer with over three decades of teaching experience. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on March 06, 2017 1. I hate to throw _______ on your idea, but do you really think she will approve? sand water fire salt Correct Wrong throw sand on someone's idea = say something that makes what seems like a good idea not so great after all I hate to sand on your project, but have you considered what will happen if you fail? 2. Once in a ______ I go to the theater. blue sun blue day blue moon red moon Correct Wrong do something once in a blue moon = do something only very rarely He likes to sing karaoke once in a blue moon. 3. Remember, half a ____ is better than none! roll sandwich loaf cup Correct Wrong have a loaf is better than none = don't complain that you only have so much, it's better than nothing Sometimes we all should remind ourselves that half a loaf is better than none, especially in difficult times. 4. Let's meet with Harry. We can kill two ____ with one stone. birds cats bees spiders Correct Wrong kill two birds with one stone = accomplish a number of tasks be doing one thing Let's go downtown and do the shopping when we pick up Tom from the bus station. We'll kill two birds with one stone. 5. Tom blew the ______ on his colleague's illegal actions. flute whistle show wind Correct Wrong blow the whistle on someone = report to authorities that someone is doing something illegal He got fired because Fred blew the whistle. 6. They're selling computers ____ cheap at Jack's Tech Shop. dirty dungy dirt Correct Wrong sell something dirt cheap = give a big discount on something That bike store sells used bikes for dirt cheap. 7. If you need him, he can turn on a ____ and help you immediately. penny nickel dime quater Correct Wrong turn on a dime = adapt to a new situation very quickly, change very quickly He got hired and the company turned on a dime. 8. I love sitting in front of an open fire. I feel as snug as ____ in a rug. tub bug lug thug Correct Wrong snug as a bug in a rug = very comfortable and cozy He feels as snug as a bug in a rug in this house. 9. It doesn't help to remind him. It just goes in _____ and out the other. one hand one foot one ear one eye Correct Wrong go in one ear and out the other = understand something but not remember what you've been told I'm afraid any new vocabulary I learn for tests goes in one ear and out the other. 10. Doesn't it seem like they are giving you ______ when you call tech support? the eye the ear the underdog the runaround Correct Wrong give someone the runaround = create unnecessary problems for you because someone doesn't want to admit they don't know or don't have the answer We went to the government offices and they gave us the runaround. Nobody really knows anything down there. Idiomatic Phrases Quiz - ESL You got: % Correct. You Know Your Idiomatic Phrases You know your English!. Andrew Rich / Vetta / Getty Images Congratulations! You know a number of common idiomatic expressions in English. Keep it up by learning idioms in context or using other resources on the site. Share Your Results Idiomatic Phrases Quiz - ESL You got: % Correct. Good Job, Keep it Up! You've done well on your lessons. Anton Violin / Moment / Getty Images You understand many of these idiomatic phrases in English, but I hope you've learned some more. Remember: The early bird gets the worm, so it's best to continue learning idiomatic language to help you in the future. You can also study idioms in context with these stories that include definitions and short quizzes. Share Your Results Idiomatic Phrases Quiz - ESL You got: % Correct. Idioms are Hard! You'll need to study more!. John Fedele / Blend Images / Getty Images Idiomatic language can be very hard because the words don't really mean what they say! That's OK. The early bird gets the worm, so get to work on learning more idioms. You can also study idioms in context with these stories that include definitions and short quizzes. Share Your Results