Phrase Frenzy: How Well Do You Know Common Sayings?

Question 1

What Does “once in a Blue Moon” Mean?

Question 1

If Someone Is “barking up the Wrong Tree,” What Are They Doing?

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What Does It Mean to “spill the Beans”?

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What Does “break the Ice” Typically Refer to?

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What Does It Mean to Be “under the Weather”?

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What Does “a Blessing in Disguise” Mean?

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What Does “hit the Nail on the Head” Mean?

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If Someone Is “the Black Sheep,” What Are They Considered?

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What Does It Mean to “let the Cat Out of the Bag”?

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What Does “burning the Midnight Oil” Mean?

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What Does “bite off More Than You Can Chew” Imply?

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If Someone “catches You Red-Handed,” What Have They Done?

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What Does It Mean to “pull Someone’s Leg”?

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If Something Is “costing an Arm and a Leg,” What Does That Suggest?

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What Does “throw in the Towel” Mean?

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What Does It Mean to “go the Extra Mile”?

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If Someone Is “a Dime a Dozen,” What Are They?

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What Does “beat Around the Bush” Mean?

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If Something Is “the Best of Both Worlds,” What Does That Imply?

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What Does “jump on the Bandwagon” Mean?

Question 1

What Does “keep Your Eyes Peeled” Mean?

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What Does “don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk” Mean?

Question 1

What Does “it Takes Two to Tango” Suggest?

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What Does “put All Your Eggs in One Basket” Mean?

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If Someone Is “on Cloud Nine,” How Are They Feeling?

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What Does “the Ball Is in Your Court” Mean?

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What Does It Mean to “face the Music”?

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What Does “by the Skin of Your Teeth” Mean?

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What Does “hit the Sack” Mean?

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What Does “bend Over Backwards” Mean?

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What Does It Mean to “hit the Ground Running”?

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If You “let Sleeping Dogs Lie,” What Are You Doing?

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What Does “on Thin Ice” Imply?

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What Does It Mean to “cut to the Chase”?

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If Someone “has a Chip on Their Shoulder,” How Are They Behaving?

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What Does “pull Yourself Together” Mean?

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What Does It Mean to “go Out on a Limb”?

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If Someone Is “cold Feet,” What Are They Feeling?

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What Does “drop the Ball” Mean?

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What Does “throw Caution to the Wind” Mean?

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What Does It Mean to “call It a Day”?

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If Someone Is “killing Two Birds With One Stone,” What Are They Doing?

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What Does “in the Same Boat” Mean?

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What Does “keep Your Chin Up” Mean?

Question 1

What Does “read Between the Lines” Mean?

Question 1

If Something Is “out of the Blue,” What Does That Suggest?

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What Does “easy as Pie” Mean?

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What Does “have Your Head in the Clouds” Imply?

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If Something “costs a Pretty Penny,” What Is It?

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What Does “take It With a Grain of Salt” Mean?

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What Does “kick the Bucket” Euphemistically Mean?

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What Does “burn Bridges” Mean?

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What Does “make a Mountain Out of a Molehill” Mean?

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What Does “wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve” Mean?

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What Does “cut Corners” Mean?

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What Does “jump the Gun” Mean?

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What Does “off the Hook” Mean?

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What Does It Mean to “hit the Books”?

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If Something Is “up in the Air,” What Is It?

Question 1

What Does “bite the Bullet” Mean?

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What Does “get the Short End of the Stick” Mean?

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If Someone Is “all Ears,” What Are They Doing?

Question 1

What Does “kick up Your Heels” Suggest?

Question 1

What Does “go Down in Flames” Mean?

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If Someone “eats Their Words,” What Happens?

Question 1

What Does “draw the Line” Mean?

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What Does “by the Book” Imply?

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If Someone “pays Through the Nose,” What Do They Do?

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What Does “in Hot Water” Mean?

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What Does “a Taste of Your Own Medicine” Mean?

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What Does “jump Through Hoops” Mean?

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What Does “speak of the Devil” Usually Indicate?

Question 1

What Does “take a Rain Check” Mean?

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What Does “cut the Mustard” Mean?

Question 1

If Someone Is “walking on Eggshells,” How Are They Behaving?

Question 1

What Does “back to Square One” Mean?

Question 1

If Something “rings a Bell,” What Does It Do?

Question 1

What Does “throw Your Weight Around” Mean?

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What Does “keep Something at Bay” Mean?

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What Does “turn a Blind Eye” Mean?

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What Does “to Have Bigger Fish to Fry” Imply?

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What Does “call Someone’s Bluff” Mean?

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What Does “to Know the Ropes” Mean?

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What Does “keep Something Under Wraps” Mean?

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What Does “beat a Dead Horse” Mean?

Question 1

What Does “hold Your Horses” Mean?

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What Does “a Red Flag” Typically Indicate?

Question 1

What Does “go for Broke” Mean?

Question 1

What Does “live and Let Live” Suggest?

Question 1

What Does “the Straw That Broke the Camel’s Back” Mean?

1

During storms

2

Without warning

3

Very rarely

4

Every week

The phrase “once in a blue moon” refers to something that happens extremely rarely or infrequently.

1

Calling for help

2

Complaining unnecessarily

3

Asking for permission

4

Making the wrong assumption

“Barking up the wrong tree” means blaming or accusing the wrong person or misunderstanding the situation.

1

Reveal a secret

2

Waste food

3

Make a mess

4

Talk nonsense

To “spill the beans” means to accidentally or deliberately reveal secret or confidential information.

1

Make trouble

2

Start a conversation

3

Ruin a party

4

Fall through ice

“Break the ice” means initiating conversation to reduce tension or awkwardness in social situations.

1

Running late

2

Feeling overwhelmed

3

Caught in a storm

4

Feeling ill

“Under the weather” is a common idiom meaning someone is feeling sick or unwell.

1

A good thing that seemed bad

2

A miracle

3

Something unexplainable

4

A ghost

“A blessing in disguise” is something that seems bad at first but turns out to be beneficial.

1

Build something

2

Be exactly right

3

Strike with force

4

Make a loud noise

To “hit the nail on the head” means to give a precise or perfectly accurate statement or answer.

1

A leader

2

Hardworking

3

The favorite

4

An outcast

The “black sheep” is the family member or group member who stands out negatively or doesn't conform.

1

Buy something

2

Lose a pet

3

Cause a scene

4

Reveal a secret

“To let the cat out of the bag” means to reveal a secret that was supposed to stay hidden.

1

Wasting energy

2

Cooking

3

Reading

4

Working late

“Burning the midnight oil” refers to staying up late to work or study, often with great effort.

1

Take on too much

2

Eat too fast

3

Make mistakes

4

Lose interest

This idiom means someone has taken on a task or responsibility too large to handle comfortably.

1

Painted you

2

Caught you in the act

3

Made you blush

4

Startled you

Being “caught red-handed” means being discovered while committing a wrong or illegal act.

1

Joke with them

2

Surprise them

3

Trip them

4

Disrespect them

“Pulling someone’s leg” is a playful way of teasing or joking without harmful intent.

1

Very expensive

2

Painful

3

Cheap

4

Dangerous

The phrase means that something is outrageously or unreasonably expensive or costly.

1

Give up

2

Start over

3

Get clean

4

Make a deal

“To throw in the towel” means to admit defeat or stop trying, often after struggling.

1

Do more than expected

2

Try something new

3

Take a longer route

4

Exercise more

“Go the extra mile” means putting in additional effort beyond what is required or expected.

1

Lucky

2

Valuable

3

Expensive

4

Very common

“A dime a dozen” refers to things or people that are so common they’re considered unremarkable.

1

Avoid saying something directly

2

Go hunting

3

Clean up

4

Take a detour

To “beat around the bush” is to avoid getting to the point or discussing something directly.

1

Two realities

2

No options

3

All advantages

4

A fantasy

“The best of both worlds” means enjoying two different advantages or benefits at the same time.

1

Follow a popular trend

2

Switch opinions

3

Celebrate a win

4

Dance in public

To “jump on the bandwagon” is to start supporting something because it's popular or successful.

1

Protect yourself

2

Stay alert

3

Look away

4

Be quiet

“Keep your eyes peeled” is a phrase used to tell someone to stay vigilant and watchful.

1

Apologize

2

Clean up

3

Blame others

4

Don’t waste time on past mistakes

This idiom means not to be upset over something that can’t be undone or changed.

1

Dance is fun

2

Love hurts

3

Timing matters

4

Both parties are responsible

“It takes two to tango” means that two people are involved and equally responsible for a situation.

1

Prepare breakfast

2

Overdo something

3

Make a mess

4

Rely on one plan

This idiom warns against relying entirely on one thing or course of action without backup.

1

Confused

2

Frustrated

3

Extremely happy

4

Sleepy

Being “on cloud nine” means someone is experiencing extreme happiness or joy.

1

Play tennis

2

Decide a game

3

Refuse to move

4

It’s your turn to act

This phrase means it’s now your responsibility to make a decision or take action.

1

Sing

2

Go to a concert

3

Get emotional

4

Accept consequences

“To face the music” means to confront the results of your actions, especially negative ones.

1

Lose completely

2

Feel nervous

3

Barely succeed

4

Get burned

The phrase means to succeed or escape a situation by an extremely narrow margin.

1

Miss a goal

2

Give up

3

Go to bed

4

Punch a bag

“Hit the sack” is a casual way of saying someone is going to sleep.

1

Fall over

2

Be stubborn

3

Make a great effort

4

Do yoga

This phrase means to try very hard or go out of your way to accommodate someone.

1

Start fast and efficiently

2

Trip and fall

3

Land poorly

4

Act without thinking

This phrase means to begin a task or role immediately with enthusiasm and effectiveness.

1

Forgetting history

2

Avoiding old problems

3

Solving a mystery

4

Waking someone

“Let sleeping dogs lie” means avoiding reopening past issues that could cause unnecessary trouble.

1

Moving quickly

2

Cold and alone

3

In a risky situation

4

Acting distant

Being “on thin ice” means you're in a dangerous or uncertain situation that could go badly.

1

End a relationship

2

Get to the point

3

Start running

4

Skip the fun

“Cut to the chase” means avoiding distractions and getting straight to the main point or issue.

1

Defensive or resentful

2

Confident

3

Tired

4

Carefree

Having “a chip on your shoulder” suggests harboring anger or looking for a reason to argue.

1

Tie your shoes

2

Eat a snack

3

Calm down and regain control

4

Plan a party

To “pull yourself together” is to recover from distress and regain your composure.

1

Lie to someone

2

Take a risk

3

Make noise

4

Climb a tree

“Going out on a limb” means to take a chance or support something uncertain or unpopular.

1

Literal cold

2

Confidence

3

Nervous hesitation

4

Excitement

Having “cold feet” typically refers to second thoughts or hesitation, especially before a big event.

1

Score points

2

Make a mistake

3

Lose your balance

4

Stop trying

“Dropping the ball” means failing to do something properly or making an error, often through negligence.

1

Warn others

2

Predict trouble

3

Avoid commitment

4

Act without worrying

This idiom describes behaving in a bold or risky way without considering the possible consequences.

1

Take a call

2

Stop working

3

Start again

4

Rest all day

To “call it a day” means to stop working for the time being, often after finishing enough.

1

Hurting animals

2

Traveling

3

Accomplishing two tasks at once

4

Breaking rules

This idiom means completing two objectives with a single action or effort.

1

Going on vacation

2

In a similar situation

3

Living together

4

Sharing a hobby

Being “in the same boat” means experiencing the same situation or hardship as someone else.

1

Raise your head

2

Prepare for a fight

3

Look forward

4

Stay positive

“Keep your chin up” is used to encourage someone to remain optimistic in difficult times.

1

Skip pages

2

Find hidden meaning

3

Scan quickly

4

Read aloud

This idiom suggests understanding something that isn’t directly stated, often implied or subtle information.

1

Sad

2

Unexpected

3

Repetitive

4

Quiet

“Out of the blue” refers to something surprising or unforeseen that happens suddenly.

1

Sweet task

2

Repetitive

3

Dessert related

4

Very simple

“Easy as pie” means something is extremely simple or effortless to complete or understand.

1

Being unrealistic

2

Being happy

3

Looking up

4

Thinking about weather

This phrase describes someone who’s distracted or not grounded in reality, often daydreaming.

1

Very expensive

2

Sentimental

3

Shiny

4

Underpriced

“Costs a pretty penny” means the item is very costly or comes with a high price tag.

1

Be skeptical

2

Add seasoning

3

Believe everything

4

Eat slowly

This idiom advises viewing information with caution and not believing it completely.

1

Retire

2

Fall

3

Start over

4

Die

“Kick the bucket” is a lighthearted euphemism for passing away or dying.

1

Destroy relationships

2

Start a fire

3

Give up

4

End a vacation

To “burn bridges” means to end a relationship or opportunity in a way that prevents future return.

1

Exaggerate a small issue

2

Defend yourself

3

Create new land

4

Explore deeply

This idiom describes overreacting to something minor by making it seem more serious than it is.

1

Show emotions openly

2

Display jewelry

3

Ignore others

4

Be stylish

“Wearing your heart on your sleeve” means expressing your feelings openly and without restraint.

1

Find a shortcut

2

Save energy

3

Do something cheaply or poorly

4

Avoid cutting

“Cutting corners” means saving time or money by doing something in a faster but less effective way.

1

Win easily

2

Speak loudly

3

Exercise

4

Act too soon

To “jump the gun” is to start something prematurely before the proper time or instruction.

1

Literally unhooked

2

Avoid phone calls

3

Freed from responsibility

4

Hanging up

This idiom means someone is no longer being held accountable or blamed for something.

1

Study

2

Organize

3

Throw books

4

Get tired

“Hitting the books” is a slang phrase for dedicating oneself to study or academic work.

1

Uncertain or undecided

2

Flying

3

High quality

4

Finished

“Up in the air” means that something is unresolved or hasn’t been finalized.

1

Get tough

2

Eat fast

3

Chew metal

4

Endure something painful

“Biting the bullet” means accepting something difficult or unpleasant and dealing with it bravely.

1

Break something

2

Ignore instructions

3

Win unexpectedly

4

Receive unfair treatment

“Getting the short end of the stick” means being treated worse than others or getting an unfair outcome.

1

Hearing voices

2

Wearing jewelry

3

Eavesdropping

4

Listening attentively

Being “all ears” means you are fully focused and eager to listen to what someone is saying.

1

Walk fast

2

Celebrate or have fun

3

Dance clumsily

4

Sleep

“Kicking up your heels” implies enjoying yourself, often in a lively or festive setting.

1

Celebrate success

2

Cook dinner

3

Fail spectacularly

4

Wear red

“Go down in flames” describes something failing in a dramatic or obvious way, usually after high expectations.

1

They talk a lot

2

They admit being wrong

3

They whisper

4

They mumble

“Eating your words” means admitting what you said was incorrect or misguided.

1

Color something

2

Use a ruler

3

Set a limit

4

Start fresh

To “draw the line” is to set a clear boundary or limit, especially on acceptable behavior.

1

Read every day

2

Memorize quickly

3

Follow rules exactly

4

Disagree with policy

Doing something “by the book” means following all the established rules or procedures exactly.

1

Get punched

2

Make a deal

3

Talk a lot

4

Overpay

To “pay through the nose” means spending far more than is fair or expected for something.

1

In trouble

2

Preparing food

3

Boiling mad

4

Getting warm

Being “in hot water” means you’re in serious trouble or facing consequences for your actions.

1

Receive similar bad treatment

2

Eat something

3

Take a remedy

4

Feel better

This idiom means experiencing the same negative behavior you’ve shown to others, often as a lesson.

1

Do difficult tasks

2

Do gymnastics

3

Break barriers

4

Entertain someone

To “jump through hoops” means to go through a lot of effort to meet demands or requirements.

1

Someone mentioned just arrived

2

You’re gossiping

3

The topic is spooky

4

Trouble is coming

“Speak of the devil” is said when someone you’re just talking about suddenly appears.

1

Refuse

2

Forecast

3

Postpone

4

Complain

Taking a “rain check” means declining an invitation now but expressing interest in doing it later.

1

Slice vegetables

2

Miss the mark

3

Make food

4

Meet expectations

“Cutting the mustard” means to meet or exceed the standard or expectations set for something.

1

Very cautiously

2

Angrily

3

Confidently

4

Fast

“Walking on eggshells” refers to behaving extremely carefully to avoid upsetting someone.

1

Win quickly

2

Go in circles

3

Make progress

4

Start over

Being “back to square one” means starting a task from the beginning due to failure or setback.

1

Creates noise

2

Is loud

3

Sounds familiar

4

Gives warning

When something “rings a bell,” it sparks recognition or feels vaguely familiar to you.

1

Use power aggressively

2

Ignore rules

3

Dance

4

Gain weight

“Throwing your weight around” means using power or influence in a domineering or unfair way.

1

Prevent it from approaching

2

Push it forward

3

Measure distance

4

Lock it away

To “keep something at bay” means to stop it from getting closer or affecting you.

1

See clearly

2

Be confused

3

Ignore intentionally

4

Sleep

“Turning a blind eye” means knowingly choosing to ignore wrongdoing or problems.

1

Cook more

2

Start over

3

Fish for hours

4

More important things to do

This saying means someone has more significant matters to deal with than what’s currently happening.

1

Ignore them

2

Start a fight

3

Challenge their claim

4

Support them

Calling someone’s bluff is testing whether they’re telling the truth or making an empty threat.

1

Be tied up

2

Be familiar with how something works

3

Climb well

4

Avoid help

“To know the ropes” means being well-informed about how a job or task should be done.

1

Wrap it up

2

Ignore it

3

Keep it secret

4

Store it away

“To keep something under wraps” means to conceal or keep information confidential until the right time.

1

Fix something broken

2

Waste time on something settled

3

Complain loudly

4

Commit animal cruelty

This idiom means continuing to discuss or pursue an issue that’s already resolved or irrelevant.

1

Ride a horse

2

Avoid danger

3

Wait or slow down

4

Take control

“Holding your horses” is a way to tell someone to wait, be patient, or slow down.

1

Confusion

2

Good deal

3

Warning sign

4

Celebration

“A red flag” is used to describe something that signals potential problems or danger ahead.

1

Lose money

2

Be cautious

3

Break something

4

Risk everything

To “go for broke” means to risk everything in pursuit of a big goal or reward.

1

Do what you want

2

Sleep peacefully

3

Ignore problems

4

Tolerate others

“Live and let live” promotes the idea of allowing others to live as they choose without interference.

1

Final problem that causes failure

2

New solution

3

Funny moment

4

Accidental injury

This phrase describes a small issue that causes someone to finally lose patience or collapse under pressure.

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Think you know your idioms? This quiz will test your understanding of popular phrases and sayings used in everyday English. From quirky expressions to timeless proverbs, let’s see how well you really know what people mean!

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