Match the Saying to Its Meaning is a free printable Grade 5 English worksheet on joining an idiom or adage to what it means, aligned to Common Core standard L.5.5. It prints 3 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
1.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
Every dog has its day.
on thin ice
Out of sight, out of mind.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
A.Everyone has a moment of success sometime.
B.The one who complains loudest gets attention.
C.People forget what they no longer see.
D.in a risky position
2.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
once in a blue moon
the ball is in your court
break the ice
Slow and steady wins the race.
A.Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.
B.it is your turn to decide or act
C.help people relax when they first meet
D.very rarely
3.Write the letter of the meaning next to each saying.
a blessing in disguise
Easy come, easy go.
Curiosity killed the cat.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
A.You miss people more when they are away.
B.something that seemed bad but turned out well
C.What is gained without effort is easily lost.
D.Being too nosy can get you into trouble.
LessonPrint · L.5.5 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Match the Saying to Its Meaning
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. Every dog has its day. — A (Everyone has a moment of success sometime.) 2. on thin ice — D (in a risky position) 3. Out of sight, out of mind. — C (People forget what they no longer see.) 4. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. — B (The one who complains loudest gets attention.)
2.1. once in a blue moon — D (very rarely) 2. the ball is in your court — B (it is your turn to decide or act) 3. break the ice — C (help people relax when they first meet) 4. Slow and steady wins the race. — A (Patient, steady effort succeeds in the end.)
3.1. a blessing in disguise — B (something that seemed bad but turned out well) 2. Easy come, easy go. — C (What is gained without effort is easily lost.) 3. Curiosity killed the cat. — D (Being too nosy can get you into trouble.) 4. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. — A (You miss people more when they are away.)
Questions about Match the Saying to Its Meaning
What does the Match the Saying to Its Meaning worksheet cover?
It practices joining an idiom or adage to what it means — 3 questions for Grade 5, all on Common Core L.5.5: Interpret figurative language, idioms, proverbs and shades of meaning. The instruction to students is “Write the letter of the meaning next to each one”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Match the Saying to Its Meaning practice?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5 — L.5.5, under Language for Grade 5. The published standard reads: “Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Match the Saying to Its Meaning is written for Grade 5, typically ages 10-11. It is one of the sheets on L.5.5, so it suits any student working at that standard — including older students revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Match the Saying to Its Meaning come with an answer key?
Yes. All 3 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Match the Saying to Its Meaning can I print?
25 — one per student, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Match the Saying to Its Meaning free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Match the Saying to Its Meaning, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
More practice for L.5.5
Interpret figurative language, idioms, proverbs and shades of meaning.