In Bed with Idioms Trivia Quiz

Answer: ...and now you'll have to lie in it.

This idiom is quite commonly used to rebuke those who are always complaining about problems they brought upon themselves.

It's believed that phrase came from a 15th Century French proverb, which says "Comme on faict son lict, on le treuve," directly translating to "As one makes one's bed, so one finds it."

There are various ways of saying this particular idiom, but the meaning remains the same.

Answer: True

There are many euphemisms for sexual relations, and "going to bed with someone" is just another polite way of saying it. The origin of this phrase comes from the fact that most sexual encounters take place in a bed.

Answer: Nails

I somehow don't think that a "bed of nails" would be the nicest place to lay down, hence the idiomatic phrase "bed of nails" describes something that would be fairly unpleasant.

However, according to physics, someone lying down on a bed of nails might not be harmed at all, provided that their weight was distributed evenly, meaning that the force exerted on the nail would not be strong enough to pierce through the person and harm them. In magician's shows, a typical trick might be to get a volunteer to lie on a bed of nails, while wooden blocks are laid on top of them, and then smashed with a sledge hammer.

Sometimes, a bed of nails is even used for meditation purposes in certain parts of Asia.

Answer: They're in a foul mood

If someone "got out on the wrong side of the bed," it means that they're in a fairly rubbish mood and are easily annoyed for that day.

According to an old Roman superstition, the left side of the bed is the wrong side. Augustus Caesar, apparently, made sure that he got out on the right hand side of his bed. Precisely why this was believed is not clear.

However, one does have to ask: which is which? Those who sleep on their backs will have the same right side, as the left side for those who sleep on their stomachs. Hmm...

Answer: Fair

Personally, I don't see the reasoning behind this famous quote, or proverb if you like, which came from "Poor Richard's Almanack," a yearly publication by Benjamin Franklin, who used the pseudonyms "Poor Richard" and "Richard Saunders."

The full proverb says "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise." Some people think it's a great mantra to live by, but to me, it just seems that this person would be missing out on a lot, as these days, most people stay out late and get up even later. However, to each his own.

Answer: You finish dealing with something

While "putting someone to bed" literally means that you help them get ready to go to sleep and head off to lala land, "putting SOMETHING" to bed" just about means the same thing, in that it's over with (for the time being, at least), and doesn't need to be dealt with any further.

Answer: ... bugs bite.

Possibly one of the most commonly used idiomatic "bed" phrases, the full saying goes "Good night, sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite."

Unfortunately, bed bugs are quite real - and they're nasty little things as well. They're small nocturnal insects, that live by feeding off warm-blooded creatures. While bed bugs do not only live in beds, they are commonly found in mattresses that haven't been washed for a while, and other places such as furniture coverings, cracks of wall plaster, and (a place they love), theatre seats.

Answer: All of these.

"Being in bed with someone" can mean any of the above, making this quite a common phrase.

"Being in bed with someone" meaning having sexual relations pretty much speaks for itself, but the other two generally refer to something a little more sinister, are generally done in secret, and are often used to describe certain political relationships. For instance, one might say of a crooked police chief that he's "in bed with drug bosses."

Answer: Roses

Everybody loves roses. Roses represent happiness, love and joy. So how better to describe something grand and lovely as a "bed of roses?"

It's believed that this expression originated from "The Passionate Shepherd to his Love" by Christopher Marlowe, which was published in 1599; six years after his death. The following is the verse from which this phrase was believed to have originated:

"And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle"

Answer: They're very dishonest

I find that no culture can express themselves quite as clearly as the Australians, and upon discovering this saying, I've found myself using it quite a bit! Basically, if someone "can't lie straight in bed," you should be very careful about how much you entrust to them.

Thanks for playing my quiz. I'd appreciate all comments and constructive criticisms. Have a super duper day!