Our Hardest Common Phrases Quiz

By: Talin Vartanian
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Our Hardest Common Phrases Quiz
Image: Pixabay / Woodsie

About This Quiz

Common phrases are well-known forms of expressions that refer to analogies and life lessons. In this quiz, we've rounded out 35 difficult phrases that you may or may not have heard of.

Let's take a look at some of these "difficult" common phrases. For example, did you know that "fit as a fiddle" means that someone is very fit? While some might think it's a way of saying that someone looks heavy, due to the shape of a fiddle, it's actually a compliment for saying that someone looks great!

Another common phrase is "all Greek to me." While you might think that this phrase literally refers to the Greek language, it actually means that someone doesn't understand something at all. For example, if you're talking about computer parts to someone who doesn't know anything about computers, they might say something like, "What you're saying sounds all Greek to me."

This quiz will look at 35 "difficult" common phrases that will put your wits to the test! All you have to do is match the common phrase to the correct definition. If you ever get stuck, be sure to utilize the applicable hint that is attached to every question. Without further ado, take this "difficult" common phrases quiz now to see if you can score a 100%!

What does the phrase "ships passing in the night" mean?
Two people who go their separate ways after meeting by chance
Two people who fall in love and get married
Two people who board separate ships
Two people who fight constantly
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The phrase "two ships passing in the night" is an analogy for two people who have met by chance. They then go their own separate ways, like ships that pass by each other.

Advertisement

To "swing for the fences" means to...?
Don't try at all.
Put 100% effort in something.
To jump over a fence
To put in a half-effort in something
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If someone tells you to "swing for the fences," they want you to give 100% of your best effort. This phrase is often used in sports competitions.

Advertisement

If someone says the phrase "shot in the dark," what does that mean?
To aim accurately at something
To not lie, cheat or steal
To take a chance on something that may not be successful
To put in your best effort
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Here's an example of how this phrase is used: If person A says "Who won the Super Bowl last year," Person B might say "OK, shot in the dark here, but I think it was the Patriots." "A shot in the dark" is used to guess or take a chance on something that is probably not going to be right.

Advertisement

What is the definition of this meaning: "To successfully go unpunished from something."
Scaredy-cat
Hail mary
Runaway
Scot-free
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To go unpunished from a situation means that you are "scot-free." This can also be referring to jail time, custody or a potential punishment from your parents.

Advertisement

"When the rubber hits the road" is often used to signify...
A proposition that is being implemented
A failed hypothesis
Achieving two tasks at the same time
Dropping a piece of rubber on the road
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"When the rubber hits the road" means that a proposition or an idea is being implemented. This is often used for newfound hypotheses.

Advertisement

If I say my mother "wouldn't harm a fly," what am I really saying about her?
She hates flies.
She is a vegetarian.
She is too gentle to hurt anyone.
She is too aggressive.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Flies are often a nuisance, so if someone "wouldn't harm a fly," it means that they are too kind to not only hurt flies, but anybody. This is often used to signify how kind and gentle a person is.

Advertisement

What does this phrase mean: "What am I, chopped liver?"
Someone who likes to sleep a lot
Someone who doesn't feel valued
Someone who feels hungry
Someone who is pretentious
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Someone who doesn't feel as valued as someone else may use the expression, "What am I, chopped liver?" The food "chopped liver" is an analogy for feeling like just another "side" item.

Advertisement

If someone uses the phrase "whole nine yards," what are they saying?
Not too much
Nothing at all
The whole thing
Just a little bit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"The whole nine yards" refers to the "whole" of something. So if I say "I want the whole nine yards of this turkey," that means I want all of the turkey.

Advertisement

If I tell you that you're "sitting on the fence," I'm trying to say that you're...
Actually sitting on a fence
Indecisive
A great decision-maker
Ignorant
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Sitting on the fence" means that someone is indecisive. In other words, the person can't make up their mind on a decision.

Advertisement

If I tell you, "Don't pull wool over other people's eyes," what am I really saying?
People may be allergic to wool.
Don't talk badly about people.
Don't back stab others.
It's wrong to make people think that you like them (when you really don't).
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The common phrase, "Don't pull wool over other people's eyes" means to not make people think that you like them. The phrase is also used to tell someone that they are being deceptive.

Advertisement

If I say that my dad comes around "once in a blue moon," I'm saying that...
My dad is a wonderful person.
My dad rarely comes around.
My dad is a liar.
My dad is a thief.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Once in a blue moon" refers to the rarity of a situation. So if I say that my dad only comes around once in a blue moon, I'm saying that it's rare that he pays a visit.

Advertisement

If I say that you are "off your rocker," what am I trying to tell you?
You are rocking back and forth too much.
You're a very polite person.
You look hungry.
You're acting stupid or crazy.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Someone who is "off their rocker" is someone who is not behaving appropriately. This often means that they are acting stupid, crazy or childish.

Advertisement

Someone who is not very smart would be equated to which of these phrases?
"Method to the madness"
"Off the rocker"
"Not playing with a full deck"
"Not a spark of decency"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To "not play with a full deck" means that someone is not thinking very intelligently. This can refer to their overall intelligence or to a particular situation.

Advertisement

What does the phrase "not a spark of decency" mean?
Somebody who is decent in nature
Somebody who is impolite
Somebody who is professional
Somebody who can't read
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Somebody who does not have a "spark of decency" means that they are not a very polite person. This also refers to a lack of manners.

Advertisement

If someone tells you to just "let the sleeping dogs lie," they are telling you to...
Not bother something or someone
Don't wake up the dogs, as they may bark.
Don't talk too much.
Don't talk so loud.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Let the sleeping dogs lie" means to not bother someone or something. This also means to just let something be, and to not disrupt it.

Advertisement

If you "heard something on the grapevine," it means that you...
Are being disrespectful
Heard gossip about a situation
Heard the grapevine blow in the wind
Revealed secret information
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you "heard something on the grapevine," it means that you heard gossip or secretive information about a situation. This can refer to both true or false kinds of information.

Advertisement

You might hear an optimist say, "Every cloud has a silver lining," which means...?
Bad days are only temporary. Good days will come soon.
All clouds have a silver outline to them.
Actions speak louder than words.
You're not acting appropriately.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Every cloud has a silver lining" is an optimistic way of saying that, "Good days will come soon." This is often acknowledging that the bad times are current, but that they will pass.

Advertisement

If someone says, "Elvis has left the building," what are they saying?
The building is too crowded.
Everyone should evacuate the building.
The show is over.
There will be an encore.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Elvis has left the building" means that the show is over. This also means that a situation is over, which does not necessarily have to refer to a show.

Advertisement

If someone "cuts the mustard" it means that they were...
Ignorant
Successful
Drunk
Rude
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To be successful means that someone "cut the mustard." For example, if I say that John "cut the mustard in the race," it means that he was successful in the race (and probably won).

Advertisement

If I am "caught between two stools," it means that I'm...
Having a hard time with two choices
Stuck in a single predicament
Hungry for success
A failure in life
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

To be "caught between two stools" means that someone is being indecisive with two choices. Both choices are typically of equal importance to cause such indecisiveness.

Advertisement

To "bite off more than you can chew" means that you are ...
Afraid to ask for help
Able to accomplish all of the required tasks
In need of more tasks to do
Trying to attempt a task of high responsibility or difficulty
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Trying to attempt a task of high difficulty or responsibility means that you are "trying to bite off more than you can chew." This can also refer to multiple tasks, not just one.

Advertisement

Can you decode this phrase: "A stitch in time saves nine."
It refers to a trendy topic.
Don't try and juggle too many tasks.
You can prevent quite a bit of headache down the road if you solve an issue now.
Mind your manners.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"A stitch in time saves nine" means that you can prevent quite a bit of headache down the road if you solve an issue now. This is another way of saying, "Don't procrastinate."

Advertisement

"A watched pot never boils" refers to which of these meanings?
You have the authority for your own decisions and actions.
Time feels slower when you attentively wait for something to happen.
Time flies when you're having fun.
You shouldn't procrastinate.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you ever have the time to stand around and literally watch a pot of water boil, it will feel as if it's taking forever. This is an analogy for how time feels slow when we attentively wait for something to "boil" or something to happen.

Advertisement

If a topic is a "hot potato," it is ...
Philosophical
Trendy
False
Meaningless
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A trendy topic might also be referred to as a "hot potato." For example, headlines of trendy news articles are considered to be "hot potato" articles.

Advertisement

If I say that the new kid at school is a "fish out of water," I'm saying that...
The new kid is not very good at socializing.
The new kid hates fish.
The new kid is making friends quickly.
The new kid doesn't look comfortable with his/her environment.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When you take a fish out of water, the fish is uncomfortable and foreign to its new environment. This is an analogy for a person who looks lost or uncomfortable in a certain situation.

Advertisement

The compliment of "fit as a fiddle" means what?
To look fat
To have a clear complexion
To look very fit
To look well-fed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The phrase "fit as a fiddle" means that someone looks very fit. It can also be used to say that someone looks healthy.

Advertisement

"Foaming at the mouth" refers to which definition?
To be wealthy
To express joy
To express sadness
To express rage
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If someone is "foaming at the mouth," it means that they are expressing rage. The anger that is expressed is usually of a very high degree.

Advertisement

If my remarks "hit you below the belt," what does that mean?
My belt is too loose.
My remarks were well-said.
My remarks were impolite.
My remarks were compliments.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If my remarks were considered to be too impolite, you might say something like, "Your words hit me below the belt." This is typically used to express vulnerability and feeling offended.

Advertisement

If you have a "chip on your shoulder," what does that mean?
You are feeling happy.
Your shoulder is fractured.
You're holding a grudge that still makes you upset.
You have low self-esteem.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If someone is holding a grudge that still makes them upset, it means that they have a "chip on their shoulder." This can also refer to a regret.

Advertisement

If what you're saying is "all Greek to me," it means that ...
You're acting unprofessional.
I understand what you're saying.
I don't speak Greek.
I don't understand what you're saying.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"All Greek to me" doesn't necessarily refer to the Greek language. Rather, it means that you don't understand what someone is trying to tell you.

Advertisement

Someone who is clumsy by nature might be called a ...
Relentless bull
Bull with three horns
Bull in a china shop
Barking dog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Bull in a china shop" refers to someone who is very clumsy in nature. This person may also have a habit of damaging surrounding items.

Advertisement

If someone "smells a rat," it means that they...
Are suspicious of someone or something
Smell something foul
Don't like rats
Are easily fooled
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Feeling suspicious of a particular situation or of a person means that someone "smells a rat." The "rat," or person in such a case, is usually lying and deceptive in nature.

Advertisement

If I say that you are "in the red," what do I mean?
You don't look very healthy.
You are easily fooled.
You're not in a good financial spot.
You were caught red-handed.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"In the red" refers to a person's financial situation. The phrase is usually used for someone who has depleted their money and assets.

Advertisement

If someone wants you to remain level-headed about a situation, they are telling you to ...
"Keep your shirt on"
"Know the ropes"
"Knock it out of the park"
"Let her rip"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If someone wants you to "keep your shirt on," it means that they want you to remain level-headed about a situation. This is also used to help calm someone down.

Advertisement

What is the definition of "greased lighting?"
Something that is clean
Something of high speed
Something that is greasy
Something that requires hard work
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Greased lightning" refers to something that is high in speed, or something moving very quickly. For example, if I say that this car is like greased lighting, I'm saying that the car drives very fast.

Advertisement

You Got:
/35
Pixabay / Woodsie