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Common English Idioms – Worksheet 1

B2 Upper-intermediate WorksheetEnglish

This B2 worksheet practises everyday English idioms such as 'break the ice', 'under the weather' and 'spill the beans'. Learners match idioms to their meanings, complete fixed expressions, use the right verb forms and correct common mistakes. It suits upper-intermediate learners who want to sound more natural in conversation.

items
36
Time
35 min
PDF
5 pages
Answer key
Included
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Exercise 1: Match the idioms with their meanings

Match each idiom with its meaning from the box. There are two extra meanings you do not need.

Example: on cloud nine → very happy

Word box to start a conversation in an awkward situationfeeling slightly illvery easyto be very expensiveto study hardto reveal a secret by mistakevery rarelyundecidedto be very angryto work late at night

  1. break the ice

  2. under the weather

  3. a piece of cake

  4. cost an arm and a leg

  5. hit the books

  6. let the cat out of the bag

  7. once in a blue moon

  8. on the fence

Exercise 2: Complete the idioms

Complete each sentence with a word from the box. There are two extra words.

Example: I was so happy I felt like I was on cloud ___. → nine

Word box hitboatbushnaildaycoverfingersropeshandtable

  1. I'm so tired that I'm going to the sack early tonight.

  2. We're all in the same , so let's help each other.

  3. Stop beating around the and tell me what happened.

  4. You've hit the on the head – that's exactly the problem.

  5. Let's call it a and finish the rest tomorrow.

  6. Don't judge a book by its .

  7. I'll keep my crossed for your job interview.

  8. The new manager is still learning the .

Exercise 3: Use the correct verb form

Complete each idiom with the correct form of the verb in brackets.

Example: She ___ (break) the ice with a funny story. → broke

  1. Jamal (spill) the beans about the surprise party yesterday.

  2. I've been (burn) the midnight oil all week to finish this report.

  3. When Dad saw the broken window, he (hit) the roof.

  4. Are you (pull) my leg? I can't believe it!

  5. They (bite) off more than they could chew when they agreed to organise the whole festival.

  6. Maria has finally (get) the hang of driving in the city.

  7. Thanks for (keep) an eye on the kids last night.

Exercise 4: Correct the mistakes

Each sentence has one wrong word in the idiom. Write the correct sentence.

Example: I'm over the sun about my new job. → I'm over the moon about my new job.

  1. The test was a piece of pie.

  2. It's raining cats and cows outside.

  3. I'm feeling a bit under the rain today.

  4. Don't put all your eggs in one box.

  5. That new car must have cost an arm and a foot.

  6. We see each other once in a red moon.

  7. Sarah has a heart of silver; she always helps everyone.

Exercise 5: Put the words in order

Put the words in the correct order to make a sentence with an idiom.

Example: cake / was / of / a / it / piece → It was a piece of cake.

  1. the / let / out / she / bag / cat / of / the

  2. on / still / I'm / the / fence

  3. hit / I / books / to / the / need

  4. ice / a / to / joke / break / told / he / the

  5. blessing / disguise / was / it / a / in

  6. ball / court / the / in / is / your / now

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About this test

B2 worksheet on common English idioms: match meanings, complete fixed phrases, use correct verb forms, fix mistakes and order words. With answers.

Topics covered

IdiomsFixed expressionsCollocationsVerb forms in idiomsInformal English

Notes for teachers

Start with Exercise 1 as a pair activity so learners can guess meanings before checking. Learners often change one word in an idiom, for example 'a piece of pie' or 'all your eggs in one box', so stress that idioms are fixed and only the verb changes form. As a follow-up, ask learners to write a short story or dialogue using at least five idioms from the worksheet.

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