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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Advanced English Vocabulary Quiz: Idioms and Proverbs

Quick, free English idioms quiz and English vocabulary test. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Martina KuchenUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art quiz banner featuring English vocabulary idioms proverbs on golden yellow background for language challenge

This quiz helps you sharpen advanced English vocabulary and idioms for everyday use and exams, with instant feedback as you go. If you want more practice, try the English vocabulary test, challenge yourself with a vocabulary test for adults, or review basics with an english vocabulary quiz.

Which word is a synonym of 'happy'?
Tired
Joyful
Angry
Sad
The word 'joyful' means feeling, expressing, or causing great pleasure and happiness. It is commonly used as a synonym for 'happy'. Other options like 'angry', 'tired', and 'sad' are antonyms or unrelated in meaning. .
Fill in the blank: It's raining cats and ___.
Cows
Cats
Dogs
Horses
The idiom 'raining cats and dogs' means it's raining very heavily. It dates back to 17th-century England, illustrating an intense downpour. The correct completion of the phrase is 'dogs'. .
What does the idiom 'break a leg' mean?
Bad luck
Good luck
Physical injury
Break a bone
In theatre and performance contexts, 'break a leg' is used to wish someone good luck. The phrase originated from a superstition that wishing someone good luck directly is bad luck. It has become a standard way to offer encouragement. .
What is the antonym of 'difficult'?
Tough
Easy
Complex
Hard
'Easy' is the direct opposite of 'difficult' and describes something not hard to do or understand. 'Hard', 'complex', and 'tough' are synonyms or near-synonyms of 'difficult'. Knowing antonyms helps build a richer vocabulary. .
Complete the proverb: A picture is worth a ___.
Hundred words
Two words
Thousand words
Million words
The proverb 'A picture is worth a thousand words' suggests that a single image can convey complex ideas more effectively than a lengthy description. It emphasizes the power of visual communication. This saying has been widely adopted in media and marketing. .
What does the idiom 'piece of cake' mean?
Very easy
A cake slice
A puzzle
A dessert
The idiom 'piece of cake' means something very easy to do. It is often used to describe simple tasks. The phrase has been in use since the 19th century. .
Choose the best word: He was too ____ to lift the box.
Weak
Strong
Tall
Short
The sentence requires a word that indicates sufficient physical power. 'Strong' means having great physical power, making it the correct choice. 'Weak', 'tall', and 'short' do not convey the needed capability. .
Fill in the blank: She ____ to the store yesterday.
Went
Gone
Go
Going
The past tense of 'go' is 'went', so 'She went to the store yesterday' is correct. 'Go' is present tense, 'gone' is past participle, and 'going' is a gerund or present participle. Understanding verb tenses is crucial for correct English usage. .
Which word is a synonym of 'meticulous'?
Messy
Loud
Swift
Careful
'Meticulous' describes someone who shows great attention to detail, making 'careful' the best synonym. 'Messy', 'swift', and 'loud' are unrelated in meaning. Knowing precise synonyms enhances clarity in writing and speaking. .
What does the idiom 'hit the books' mean?
Go to a library
Study
Discuss literature
Physically hit books
The idiom 'hit the books' means to begin studying seriously. It is commonly used by students preparing for exams. The phrase emphasizes focused effort. .
Fill in the blank: I'll call you ___.
Sometimes
Never
Soon
Seldom
'Soon' means in a short time and fits the promise to call in the near future. 'Seldom', 'sometimes', and 'never' do not convey imminence. Choosing the right adverb ensures clear communication. .
What is the antonym of 'scarce'?
Insufficient
Abundant
Little
Rare
'Abundant' means present in large quantities, making it the opposite of 'scarce'. 'Rare', 'little', and 'insufficient' all suggest lack or small amount. Antonyms are key to understanding word relationships. .
What does the idiom 'spill the beans' mean?
Drop legumes
Reveal a secret
Eat beans
Cook dinner
The idiom 'spill the beans' means to divulge confidential information or a secret. It likely stems from an ancient voting system using beans. It is widely used in informal contexts. .
Choose the correct preposition: She is interested __ music.
On
In
With
At
The correct collocation is 'interested in', used to express curiosity or passion for something. 'Interested on', 'at', and 'with' are incorrect in this context. Prepositional usage is crucial to fluent English. .
Which word in this list is a noun?
Run
Quick
Quickly
Happiness
'Happiness' is an abstract noun denoting a state of well-being. 'Quick' is an adjective, 'run' is primarily a verb (though it can be a noun, it's used here as a verb option), and 'quickly' is an adverb. Identifying parts of speech improves comprehension. .
Fill in the blank: He has a ____ for languages.
Attitude
Altitude
Amplitude
Aptitude
'Aptitude' refers to a natural ability or talent, especially for learning. 'Attitude' relates to one's mindset, 'altitude' to height, and 'amplitude' to magnitude. Choosing the right noun is critical to meaning. .
What does the idiom 'steal someone's thunder' mean?
Surprise someone
Take credit for someone else's idea
Ignore someone
Make loud noises
To 'steal someone's thunder' means to take attention or credit away from someone, often by preempting their success. The phrase dates back to the 18th century English playwright John Dennis. It emphasizes the importance of recognition. .
Which word is a synonym of 'ephemeral'?
Heavy
Eternal
Nightly
Short-lived
'Ephemeral' describes something lasting for a very short time, making 'short-lived' its closest synonym. 'Eternal' is its opposite, while 'heavy' and 'nightly' are unrelated. Advanced vocabulary allows nuanced expression. .
Choose the correct form: They were ____ by the magician's trick.
Astonishes
Astonishing
Astonished
Astonish
In this passive construction, the past participle 'astonished' correctly completes the sentence. 'Astonish' is the base verb, 'astonishing' is an adjective, and 'astonishes' is present tense. Recognizing verb forms is essential for accuracy. .
What is the meaning of the proverb 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch'?
Don't assume success before it happens
Hatch more eggs
Count only live chickens
Wait until eggs hatch
This proverb warns against making plans based on events that have not yet occurred. It emphasizes caution and realistic expectations. The saying originated from 16th-century England. .
Which term refers to the fear of heights?
Claustrophobia
Hydrophobia
Arachnophobia
Acrophobia
Acrophobia is the specific phobia for fear of heights. Claustrophobia is fear of confined spaces, arachnophobia is fear of spiders, and hydrophobia is fear of water. Understanding these terms is useful in advanced English and psychology. .
Which sentence uses the verb 'lay' correctly?
He lay the book on the table.
He will lay down soon.
He has lay his keys here.
He lay down for a nap yesterday.
The intransitive verb 'lie' (past tense 'lay') means to recline, so 'He lay down for a nap' is correct. 'Lay' as a transitive verb requires an object. Confusion between 'lay' and 'lie' is common in English. .
Which word is a synonym of 'ubiquitous'?
Unique
Omnipresent
Rare
Invisible
'Ubiquitous' means present or found everywhere, which matches 'omnipresent'. 'Rare' and 'unique' imply scarcity, while 'invisible' means not seen. Advanced synonyms enrich expressive power. .
What does 'kudos' mean?
Ruins
Failure
Praise or recognition
Criticism
'Kudos' refers to praise, acclaim, or recognition for an achievement. Despite its plural form, it is treated as singular in usage. It is derived from Greek. .
What does the phrase 'the exception that proves the rule' mean?
Exceptions are more important than rules
Rules always have exceptions
The existence of an exception highlights the validity of the rule
An exception invalidates the rule
This phrase is often misunderstood: it implies that a specified exception confirms that a general rule exists. It originates from legal usage where proving a rule's applicability showed that the rule was valid. It highlights how observing an exception can reaffirm the broader principle. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Advanced Vocabulary -

    Recognize and define a range of long-tail English words featured in this English Vocabulary Quiz, expanding your personal lexicon.

  2. Interpret Common Idioms -

    Analyze and explain the meaning of everyday English idioms, boosting your understanding of figurative language in conversation.

  3. Interpret English Proverbs -

    Analyze familiar proverbs to grasp their underlying messages and cultural significance, strengthening your practical language skills.

  4. Assess Grammar Proficiency -

    Evaluate your grasp of English grammar rules through targeted questions, identifying areas for further study and improvement.

  5. Apply Context Clues -

    Use sentence context to infer the meaning of unfamiliar words or expressions, sharpening your reading comprehension in real-world scenarios.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Target Tier 2 and Tier 3 Vocabulary -

    Concentrate on academic Tier 2 words like "cogent" (convincing) and specialized Tier 3 terms such as "cardiomegaly" (enlarged heart). Use flashcards and the mnemonic "CO-GENT: COherent + persiGENT argument" to cement recall. This method aligns with Oxford University Press research on effective vocabulary acquisition.

  2. Break Down Idioms with Literal Clues -

    Analyze common phrases like "spill the beans" literally (imagine beans falling) to link visual memory with the figurative "reveal a secret." Create mini-stories for each idiom, turning abstract expressions into vivid narratives. These visualization techniques stem from cognitive linguistics studies at Cambridge University.

  3. Contextualize Proverbs through Cultural Narratives -

    Understand proverbs like "a stitch in time saves nine" by exploring their historical origins - in this case, 18th-century sewing guilds - to deepen comprehension. Write your own modern analogies (e.g., fixing a leak early prevents flooding) to internalize the lesson. This strategy mirrors the contextual learning approach recommended by the British Council.

  4. Use Morphological Analysis for Word Formation -

    Decipher unknown words by splitting them into roots, prefixes, and suffixes (e.g., "benevolent" = bene- "good" + volent "wishing"). Maintain a root list and quiz yourself on combinations regularly. Purdue OWL materials emphasize this approach for efficient vocabulary expansion.

  5. Refine Grammar via Pattern Recognition Drills -

    Sharpen subject-verb agreement using contrasting examples ("She writes" vs. "They write") and targeted drills on conditional clauses. Use the acronym "SVA" (Subject-Verb Agreement) to recall that singular subjects take singular verbs and vice versa. University of Michigan grammar modules confirm this pattern-recognition approach enhances your grammatical precision.

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