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Idioms for Kids

Idioms are fun phrases that mean something different from the words they use. Learning idioms helps you understand stories, jokes, and conversations—and makes your own writing more interesting!

Can you guess what these silly sayings really mean?

Popular Idioms for Kids

1.Break a leg
Meaning: Good luck!
Example: You have a spelling test today? Break a leg!
2.Piece of cake
Meaning: Something very easy
Example: That math problem was a piece of cake.
3.Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Reveal a secret by accident
Example: Oops, I let the cat out of the bag about your surprise party.
4.Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick
Example: I stayed home from school because I was under the weather.
5.Hit the books
Meaning: Start studying
Example: It's time to hit the books for my science test.
6.Spill the beans
Meaning: Tell a secret
Example: Who spilled the beans about the new puppy?
7.The ball is in your court
Meaning: It's your turn to make a decision
Example: I've done my part, now the ball is in your court.
8.Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Try to do too much at once
Example: I signed up for three clubs and bit off more than I could chew.
9.Cold feet
Meaning: Nervous before something important
Example: I got cold feet before my first piano recital.
10.Costs an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive
Example: That video game costs an arm and a leg!
11.Raining cats and dogs
Meaning: Raining very hard
Example: We couldn't go outside because it was raining cats and dogs.
12.Hit the hay
Meaning: Go to bed
Example: I'm tired, so I'm going to hit the hay.
13.In hot water
Meaning: In trouble
Example: I was in hot water for not doing my homework.
14.Hold your horses
Meaning: Wait a moment
Example: Hold your horses! We'll leave in a minute.
15.Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Something that happens very rarely
Example: We only get pizza for lunch once in a blue moon.

Quiz: Match the Idiom to Its Meaning

Can you match the idiom to what it means?

  1. Break a leg
  2. Under the weather
  3. Piece of cake
  4. Spill the beans
  5. Once in a blue moon
Show Answers
  • Break a leg – Good luck!
  • Under the weather – Feeling sick
  • Piece of cake – Something very easy
  • Spill the beans – Tell a secret
  • Once in a blue moon – Something that happens very rarely

Conclusion

Idioms make English more fun! Try using a new idiom in your next story or conversation and see if your friends know what it means.

More Resources

  • Learn about metaphors, figurative language, and similes for more fun with language.
  • Practice with creative writing prompts using idioms.
  • Read stories and try to spot idioms in the text.
  • Ask a teacher or friend to quiz you on idioms.