Idioms are expressions whose meanings don’t match the literal words. They are common in everyday English and often make conversations sound more natural and expressive. At the intermediate (B1–B2) level, idioms become easier to recognize in context, but choosing the right one can still be challenging for learners.
Test your understanding with this intermediate English idioms quiz and see how well you can choose the right expression in context.
Choose the correct idiom for each sentence (1–10).
1) We were talking about you when you walked in, ___.
“Speak of the devil” is used when the person you were just talking about suddenly appears.
2) I didn’t study for the exam and now I really have to ___.
“To face the music” means to accept the consequences of something you did, especially when it’s unpleasant.
3) She didn’t want to choose sides, so she decided to ___.
“To sit on the fence” means to avoid choosing a side or making a decision.
4) We didn’t plan our trip carefully, so now everything is ___.
“Up in the air” means something is uncertain or not decided yet.
5) She lost her job last week, but she’s ___.
“To keep your chin up” means to stay positive and strong during a difficult situation.
6) Don’t tell anyone about this plan yet, it’s still ___.
“Under wraps” means something is being kept secret or hidden.
7) Let’s just ___ and see what happens.
“To play something by ear” means to decide what to do as things happen, without a fixed plan.
8) We need to ___ and start working seriously.
“To pull your socks up” means to improve your effort and start working harder.
9) It’s not easy to earn enough money to ___.
“To make ends meet” means to earn enough money to cover basic expenses.
10) He promised to help, but when I needed him, he ___.
“To leave someone high and dry” means to abandon them when they really need help.
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