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Quiz about Idiomatically Speaking Part Deux

Idiomatically Speaking: Part Deux Quiz

Ten questions on commonly used idioms and where they come from. Nice 'n' easy, relax and as always enjoy.

A multiple-choice quiz by Fiachra. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Fiachra

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
137,210

Updated
Jul 07 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Very Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
5525

Last 3 plays: Dagny1 (9/10), Mike2055 (10/10), rlandi1 (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Complete this phrase, raining cats and _________ Hint

Puppies

Dogs

Kittens

Rats

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Beware of _________ bearing gifts. Hint

Romans

Turks

Greeks

Arabs

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. On board ship, you would not like to have to walk the ___________ Hint

Deck

Galley

Bridge

Plank

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. What might be buried to make peace? Hint

Arrow

Hatchet

Knife

Spear

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. If you are lucky and/or privileged you were born with a __________ spoon in your mouth. Hint

Titanium

Jade

Platinum

Silver

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Weapons can be fired at point _________ range.

Answer: (5 letters)

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Question 7 of 10

7. A player scoring three goals is said to have scored a ________ trick. Hint

Boot

Hat

Cap

Sock

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Question 8 of 10

8. Don't tell, __________'s the word. Hint

Dad

Granny

Aunt

Mum

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. At sea it is a very good idea to know which way the ________ blows.

Answer: (4 letters)

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Question 10 of 10

10. If your conscience is free then you sleep like a ____________

Answer: (3 or 4 letters)

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 19 2024 : Dagny1: 9/10
Dec 19 2024 : Mike2055: 10/10
Nov 29 2024 : rlandi1: 9/10
Nov 01 2024 : trialballoons: 10/10
Oct 29 2024 : runaway_drive: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Complete this phrase, raining cats and _________

Answer: Dogs

This idiom has a very interesting origin. It goes back to Pre-Christian times in Northern Europe, the wind was explained as a big dog chasing the rain (cats) across the sky. The dog was the faithful servant of Odin, a Norse god of wisdom.

2. Beware of _________ bearing gifts.

Answer: Greeks

This goes back to the Trojan Wars. The Greeks appeared to have given up the siege of Troy and left a huge wooden horse outside. The Trojans fell for it and wheeled the horse inside. Imagine their surprise when the Greek army came out of a trapdoor in the horse's stomach. Needless to mention, the Trojans lost the battle.

3. On board ship, you would not like to have to walk the ___________

Answer: Plank

Pirates got rid of prisoners by making them walk a plank laid across the ship's side. The prisoners either lost their balance and fell in, or ran out of plank and fell in. Either way they drowned. Nasty!

4. What might be buried to make peace?

Answer: Hatchet

This comes from Native Americans who would not talk peace until both sides had got rid of their hatchets. Why can't we learn from them?

5. If you are lucky and/or privileged you were born with a __________ spoon in your mouth.

Answer: Silver

Long ago, well off godparents gave silver spoons to the child at the Baptism ceremony. It was the beginning of a life of luxury.

6. Weapons can be fired at point _________ range.

Answer: Blank

Apparently, this phrase comes from archery, it once meant the white point or POINT BLANC on an archery target. This got changed over the centuries to point blank.

7. A player scoring three goals is said to have scored a ________ trick.

Answer: Hat

This idiom comes from cricket, way back in the 19th century, taking three wickets on three consecutive deliveries entitled the bowler to a free hat from his club.

8. Don't tell, __________'s the word.

Answer: Mum

This comes from one of Shakespeare's plays and does not refer to mothers at all but to a humming sound 'mmmmmm'. It can be found in 'King Lear', where the mad king refuses or is unable to answer Kent and Cordelia's servants. It's also found in 'Henry V': 'give no words but mum'.

9. At sea it is a very good idea to know which way the ________ blows.

Answer: Wind

Waste was disposed of over the ships side by the cabin boy. If he did not know which way the wind blew then all the waste would land back on top of him. Others explain this idiom by the need to be downwind of prey when hunting.

10. If your conscience is free then you sleep like a ____________

Answer: Top

There are also two possible explanations; topo is the Italian for mouse, a creature believed to be a sound sleeper. Or, a spinning top at the height of its motion seems still.

Source: Author Fiachra

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor fringe before going online.
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