Idiom Investigator
If someone says, “It’s raining cats and dogs,” what do they mean?
It is raining very heavily.
“The baby is sleeping like a log.”
Figurative.
“Jake was so hungry that he could eat a horse.” What does this mean?
Jake is extremely hungry.
“Once in a blue moon” means…
→ Very rarely.
Someone says, “Great, just what I needed!” after spilling coffee all over their shirt. Are they probably being sincere or sarcastic?
Sarcastic.
If you “spill the beans,” what have you done?
Revealed a secret.
“The dog is sitting under the table.”
Literal.
“Mia hit the books as soon as she got home.” What did Mia do?
She started studying.
“Cost an arm and a leg” means…
→ Something is very expensive.
“The wind whispered through the trees.” What type of figurative language is being used?
Personification.
What does it mean if someone says, “I’m feeling under the weather”?
They are feeling unwell.
“My backpack weighs a tonne.”
Figurative — it feels very heavy, but probably doesn't literally weigh a tonne.
“Tom is always the class clown.” What does this suggest about Tom?
He often jokes around or tries to make people laugh.
“Get cold feet” means…
→ Become nervous or unsure about doing something.
Her room was a disaster zone.” Is this likely literal or figurative? What does it suggest?
Figurative — her room was extremely messy.
If someone tells you to “break a leg” before your performance, are they actually wishing you harm? What do they mean?
No. They are wishing you good luck.
“She has a heart of gold.”
Figurative — she is kind/generous.
"I have butterflies in my stomach before the presentation.” How is the person probably feeling?
Nervous or excited.
“On the same page” means…
→ People understand or agree about something.
Someone says, “I’m drowning in homework.” What are they actually communicating?
They have a huge amount of homework and feel overwhelmed by it.
Someone says, “That test was a piece of cake.” What are they really saying?
The test was very easy.
“I’ve told you a million times to clean your room.”
Figurative — the person is exaggerating to show they have said it many times.
“When the teacher announced the surprise test, everyone’s faces dropped.” What does “faces dropped” suggest?
They became disappointed, worried or unhappy.
“Read between the lines” means…
→ Look for the hidden or implied meaning rather than only the literal words.
A friend says, “Wow, you're really early,” when you arrive 30 minutes late. What is the speaker actually communicating?
They are being sarcastic and pointing out that you are late.