Student: ______________________________________________ Date: ____________

Idioms
Directions: Read the paragraph. Use your knowledge of idioms to help you complete the questions.

1. Pull Strings

My uncle knew the security guards at the rock concert. He promised to pull strings so we could go backstage and meet
the band.

Pull strings means _______________.

A. use your influence behind the scenes

B. harm someone
C. put on a puppet workshop

2. Ring a Bell

When I heard what town Lisa's family was from, it sounded familiar. When I went home, I asked my mom, "Does that
name ring a bell?" "Of course," she said. "We went on vacation there when you were little."

Ring a bell means ___________.

A. too loud somewhere

B. sounds familiar
C. sound unhappy

3. Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Drew was between a rock and a hard place. No matter what he decided someone would be hurt.

Between a rock and a hard place means _________.

A. things are wonderful

B. in a very difficult position
C. you are in a rock mine

4. Rome Was Not Built in a Day

Phyllis was trying to wallpaper the bathroom. She was feeling very frustrated by all the corners and edges in the room.
"Don't get frustrated," her friend Chloe said. "It looks beautiful. Rome was not built in a day."

Rome was not built in a day means __________.

A. you need to give up

B. a difficult job can't be done quickly or all at once
C. you are taking too long

5. Cassidy was building a model of the Empire State Building. He almost gave up. Would it be right for his father to say,
"Don't give up. Rome was not built in a day"?

A. Yes
B. No