Idiom Meanings Worksheet
This idiom meanings worksheet helps 5th grade students explain common idioms with context clues and tell idioms from literal phrases. An answer key is included, making practice and checking quick and easy.
$6.97
Want this one free?
Tell us where to send it and it’s yours — no card, no catch.
One free resource per teacher. We’ll also send free teaching ideas each week — unsubscribe anytime.
Free teacher account · no credit card
Membership
Get every game, song, & printable
- Every game, on any device
- 6,500+ resources
- Assign online with HFT Classroom
Then $39.97/year · cancel anytime · See plans
- Instant digital download
- Printable PDF + answer key
- Made by real teachers
Teacher / Family membership
Teaching is easier with every resource
One membership for your whole year: 6,500+ worksheets, games, songs and videos for Preschool–6th, for your classroom or homeschool.
- Unlimited printables & downloads
- Every game, on any device
- Assign online with HFT Classroom
- Cancel anytime
Teacher / Family membership · 3 days free
Yearly
Monthly would be $119.64 a year
$3.33/month
Billed $39.97 once a year
You save $79.67 every year
Start My 3 Free Days$0 today · cancel anytime
Monthly
$9.97/month
Flexible, month to month
Yearly is just $3.33/mo. Switch and save $79.67
Start My 3 Free Days$0 today · cancel anytime
About this resource
Description
An idiom is a saying that means something different from its words. When someone says it is time to hit the hay, nobody is going to smack a pile of dried grass! This idiom meanings worksheet helps 5th grade students use context clues to figure out and explain what common idioms really mean, which is exactly what the 5th grade language standards ask students to do.
The worksheet opens with a short, kid-friendly definition of an idiom. In Part A, students read six sentences, each with an idiom in dark print, and use the clues in the sentence to write what the idiom really means. In Part B, students read four more sentences and decide whether the words in dark print are used as an idiom or literally, then circle their answer. The same two phrases appear both ways, so students learn that context decides the meaning. This 5th grade idioms worksheet works well for independent practice, small groups, homework, or a quick check after a figurative language lesson.
What’s Included
- Page 1: six idioms in context to explain, plus four sentences to sort as idiom or literal
- Page 2: a complete answer key with sample meanings for Part A and the correct choices for Part B
Why This Worksheet Helps Kids
- Using context clues to explain an idiom builds the reading skill students need for tricky words and phrases in any text.
- Sorting literal and figurative uses teaches students that the same words can mean different things in different sentences.
- Writing the meaning in their own words shows real understanding instead of guessing from a list.
Ideas for Teachers and Parents
Before students begin, act out one idiom literally and then explain its real meaning, so the class sees the difference. After the worksheet, invite students to draw the literal picture of an idiom from Part A and write its true meaning underneath. You can also keep a class idiom wall and add new sayings students hear in books, movies, or at home. The idiom meanings worksheet also makes a quick assessment to see which students can explain common sayings on their own.
Related Resources
What teachers say
Reviews
Write a review, earn store credit
Get 25¢ in credit for every approved review of a resource you’ve downloaded, played or purchased — up to 15 a month. Credit applies automatically to your membership payments, so your reviews can help pay for your membership.
Honest reviews only — any star rating earns the same. Program rules
Log in to write a review and earn store credit.
This Completing Idioms Worksheet asks 5th Grade students to finish six common idioms from memory and write three of their own, with an answer key, so figurative language practice takes one page.
Students match food idioms, similes, and metaphors to their meanings and sort them by kind in this food for thought idiom simile metaphor activity for 2nd to 5th grade, with an answer key included.
This playing with idioms activity has 3rd to 5th grade students match idiom cards to their real meanings, draw funny literal pictures and read idioms in stories. An answer key is included.
Using Describing Idioms Worksheet, students choose four idioms to describe through writing and drawing in order to use them in their writing.
This L.3.5 common core activity gives 3rd to 5th grade students idiom task cards, a tips chart, and a practice page. An answer key is included for quick checking.
An underwater bubble game where 5th grade kids read each clue and pop the bubble with the matching word, using Greek and Latin roots, prefixes and suffixes. Play online on any phone, tablet, Chromebook or computer.
Using the Science Songs (MP3 Album), students learn about different science concepts while listening to these upbeat and catchy songs.
Students underline, write, and build complete subjects in this Subject of the Sentence Worksheet, a three-part grammar page for 4th grade. An answer key is included, so checking work takes only seconds.
Using the Verb Rap Song (MP3), students will be able to define, give examples and use verbs in their own writing using the catchy and memorable lyrics.
Using this Blank Lesson Plan template, you will be able to plan your lessons for the entire week for six different subjects.
This 5.NBT.3 common core worksheet gives 5th graders eight decimal comparisons, three ordering sets, and a word problem to explain. The answer key is included, so it is ready for no-prep place value review.
Matter word wall flash cards with 16 picture cards for solid, liquid, gas, melt, evaporate and more, for 2nd to 5th grade science. Answer key included for easy checking.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet