ESOL ESOL Idioms and Expressions 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the US English idiom 'break a leg' mean?
- Hurt yourself physically
- Good luck (Correct answer)
- Run away quickly
- Stop working
Correct answer: Good luck
'Break a leg' is an American idiom used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
Question 2: If someone says 'it's raining cats and dogs,' what do they mean?
- Animals are falling from the sky
- It is raining very heavily (Correct answer)
- The weather is slightly cloudy
- It is snowing outside
Correct answer: It is raining very heavily
'Raining cats and dogs' is an English idiom meaning it is raining very hard or heavily.
Question 3: What does 'bite the bullet' mean in American English?
- Eat something sharp
- Endure a difficult or painful situation bravely (Correct answer)
- Shoot a weapon
- Quit your job
Correct answer: Endure a difficult or painful situation bravely
'Bite the bullet' means to endure a painful or unpleasant situation stoically because it cannot be avoided.
Question 4: If a coworker says 'let's get the ball rolling,' what are they suggesting?
- Play a game together
- Start or begin a project or task (Correct answer)
- Throw something around the office
- End the workday early
Correct answer: Start or begin a project or task
'Get the ball rolling' is an idiom meaning to start an activity or process in motion.
Question 5: What does 'under the weather' mean in everyday US English?
- Standing in the rain
- Feeling sick or unwell (Correct answer)
- Working outdoors
- Enjoying sunny weather
Correct answer: Feeling sick or unwell
'Under the weather' is a common expression meaning someone feels ill or not well.
Question 6: What does it mean when someone says 'hit the nail on the head'?
- Do carpentry work
- Say or do something exactly right (Correct answer)
- Miss an opportunity
- Arrive early
Correct answer: Say or do something exactly right
'Hit the nail on the head' means to describe a situation or solve a problem exactly correctly.
ESOL ESOL Idioms and Expressions 1
What does the US English idiom 'break a leg' mean?