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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

ESL Idioms & Phrasal Verbs Quiz – Master English Expressions

Practice Everyday Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Now

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting various ESL idioms and phrasal verbs for a quiz.

This ESL idioms and phrasal verbs quiz helps you practice everyday expressions in context and see how they work in real life. Answer 15 quick multiple-choice questions to spot gaps and sound more natural and fluent. For more focused practice, try the phrasal verbs quiz or explore business idioms .

What does the idiom 'break the ice' mean?
To freeze something quickly
To start a conversation or ease tension
To shatter frozen water
To play an instrument
The idiom 'break the ice' refers to making people feel more comfortable and starting a social interaction. It has nothing to do with literally breaking ice or playing instruments.
What does the idiom 'hit the sack' mean?
Leave a party
Punch a bag
Exercise vigorously
Go to sleep
To 'hit the sack' is an informal way to say go to bed or fall asleep. It is not related to exercising or physical punching.
What does 'once in a blue moon' mean?
Very rarely
On a full moon evening
In the middle of the night
Once each month
'Once in a blue moon' describes something that happens very rarely. It does not literally refer to the lunar calendar or full moon evening.
What is the meaning of the phrasal verb 'look after'?
To search for
To take care of
To ignore someone
To look at something closely
'Look after' means to take care of or be responsible for someone or something. It does not mean to search, ignore, or just visually inspect.
I'm feeling under the weather, so I will _____ bed early.
get up
go out
stay up
stay in
'Under the weather' means feeling unwell, so 'stay in' bed is correct. The other options imply leaving or remaining awake, which doesn't fit the context.
After hours of driving, we had to _____ to rest the car and ourselves.
pull over
turn on
pull out
put off
'Pull over' means to move a vehicle to the side of the road and stop, which fits resting the car and driver. Other options do not mean stopping the car.
What does the idiom 'cost an arm and a leg' mean?
Cost nothing
Poor quality
Physically painful
Very expensive
'Cost an arm and a leg' means something is extremely expensive or costly. It has nothing to do with actual physical pain or quality.
Which phrasal verb means 'to continue doing something'?
carry on
look up
give up
turn down
'Carry on' means to continue an action or activity. 'Give up' is the opposite, while 'turn down' and 'look up' have different meanings.
What does the idiom 'spill the beans' mean?
Cook food quickly
Spill liquids accidentally
Reveal a secret
Make a mess
'Spill the beans' is an informal way to say reveal secret information. The other options interpret the phrase literally or incorrectly.
Which sentence correctly uses 'put off'?
He put off his friend at the station.
Let's put off some decorations on the cake.
I put off the meeting until tomorrow.
I put off my shoes before entering.
'Put off' means to postpone. Only delaying the meeting fits that meaning. The other sentences misuse the phrase in unnecessary contexts.
She ____ her boss to ask for a raise.
made up
gave up
turned up
brought up
'Bring up' means to introduce a topic, such as asking for a raise. The other phrasal verbs do not fit the context of initiating a discussion.
Which preposition correctly completes the phrasal verb: 'He ran _____ time during the exam'?
through
into
out of
over
'Run out of' means to have no more of something, in this case time. The other prepositions change the meaning or are incorrect in this context.
What does the idiom 'hit the nail on the head' mean?
Miss the target
Use a tool correctly
Describe something exactly
Hit something precisely
'Hit the nail on the head' means to describe a situation or problem exactly. It's a figurative expression, not about actual tools.
Can you _____ the lights when you leave?
turn off
take off
put down
set up
'Turn off' refers to deactivating electrical devices like lights. The other options have different meanings unrelated to lights.
What does 'bite the bullet' mean?
Accept an unpleasant situation
Avoid responsibility
Chew on metal
Run quickly
'Bite the bullet' means to endure a difficult situation with courage. It's not literally chewing metal or evading duties.
Which sentence uses 'look down on' correctly, distinguishing it from 'look up to'?
She looks down on people who don't share her opinions.
He looks down on his new role in the company.
I look down on my grandfather for his wisdom.
They look down on the recipe for dinner.
'Look down on' means to regard someone or something as inferior. Option A uses it correctly. The other sentences misuse the phrase or swap meanings.
Which option correctly orders the phrasal verb in this sentence? 'He ____ the job offer because of the low salary.'
down turned
gave down
turned down
turn downed
'Turn down' should be ordered as 'turned down' in past tense, meaning to reject. Other forms are grammatically incorrect.
I need to ____ the time I missed in yesterday's meeting.
make out
make off
make up for
make over
'Make up for' means to compensate for something missed. The other 'make' phrases have different meanings like understanding, renovating, or fleeing.
Which sentence uses 'come across' appropriately, distinguishing it from 'run into'?
They came across the document without searching.
I came across my car at the parking lot.
She came across the finish line first.
I came across an old friend while browsing social media.
'Come across' means to find by chance. Option A shows this online discovery. The other options describe locating known items or positions, which is incorrect.
What does 'beat around the bush' mean?
Hit plants gently
Avoid getting to the main point
Speak softly to animals
Walk in the woods
'Beat around the bush' means to avoid addressing the main issue directly. It's a figurative expression not related to literal actions.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify the meanings of common English idioms in context.
  2. Apply phrasal verbs accurately in everyday sentences.
  3. Analyse differences between similar idiomatic expressions.
  4. Master usage of phrasal verbs with various prepositions.
  5. Evaluate comprehension through targeted quiz questions.
  6. Demonstrate improved fluency using idioms and phrases.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand the structure of phrasal verbs - Phrasal verbs team up a verb with one or more particles (prepositions or adverbs) to create a fresh, often unexpected meaning. Cracking this pattern is like solving a mini puzzle in every sentence you read or say.
  2. Learn common phrasal verbs - Build your go-to list with everyday favorites like "call off" (to cancel), "figure out" (to understand), and "put off" (to postpone). Mastering these will supercharge your comprehension and give your speech a natural flair.
  3. Practice separable and inseparable phrasal verbs - Some phrasal verbs let you slide the object between the verb and the particle (separable), while others stick together (inseparable). For example, you can "turn off the light" or "turn the light off," but you always "look after the baby," never "look the baby after."
  4. Identify idioms in context - Idioms are sneak-attack phrases whose true meaning can't be guessed from the words alone. Spot expressions like "a piece of cake" in stories or conversations to unlock their figurative gems.
  5. Differentiate between similar idioms - Some idioms look alike but play very different roles - "break the ice" warms up a chat, while "break a leg" sends good-luck vibes. Knowing the difference saves you from hilarious mix-ups.
  6. Use idioms appropriately - Sprinkle idioms into your writing and speaking to sound like a native. For instance, "I'm feeling under the weather" hits differently than just "I'm sick," making your language more colorful.
  7. Master phrasal verbs with varying prepositions - Changing the particle can completely shift the meaning - "look up" means to search for info, whereas "look after" means to care for someone. Mixing and matching helps you nail the right sense every time.
  8. Analyze idiomatic expressions - Break idioms down to uncover their quirky origins and literal vs. figurative twists. Understanding why we "bite the bullet" makes it way easier to remember and use correctly.
  9. Evaluate comprehension through quizzes - Test yourself regularly with fun quizzes to reinforce what you've learned and spot any tricky areas. It's like a mini game that keeps your idiom and phrasal-verb skills sharp!
  10. Enhance fluency with idiomatic language - The real magic happens when you slide idioms and phrasal verbs into daily chats. Phrases like "hit the nail on the head" will give your English that polished, native-speaker shine.
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