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Quiz about In a Manner of Speaking
Quiz about In a Manner of Speaking

In a Manner of Speaking Trivia Quiz


These cliches and idioms are used very frequently - but do you actually know what they mean?

A multiple-choice quiz by mcsheffrey19. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
mcsheffrey19
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
316,819
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Very Easy
Avg Score
9 / 10
Plays
2727
Last 3 plays: violinsoldier (10/10), Guest 97 (10/10), GlennaRuth (8/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. What does 'as the crow flies' mean? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What does 'paint the town red' mean? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What does 'it's raining cats and dogs' mean? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What does 'at the eleventh hour' mean? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What does 'jump the gun' mean? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. What does 'let sleeping dogs lie' mean? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. What does 'to wear your welcome out' mean? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What does 'wet behind the ears' mean? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. What does 'don't let the cat out of the bag' mean? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. What is a 'pop quiz' to a North American student? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 21 2024 : violinsoldier: 10/10
Mar 14 2024 : Guest 97: 10/10
Mar 13 2024 : GlennaRuth: 8/10
Mar 12 2024 : VegemiteKid: 10/10
Mar 11 2024 : Nicobutch: 10/10
Mar 06 2024 : toddruby96: 10/10
Mar 03 2024 : K76kev: 8/10
Mar 02 2024 : Hayes1953: 10/10
Feb 22 2024 : emodius: 9/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What does 'as the crow flies' mean?

Answer: The shortest distance between two points

This phrase is thought to have been in use since 1800 and that it originated in Pennsylvania.
2. What does 'paint the town red' mean?

Answer: Go out and enjoy yourself

The meaning of this phrase has changed over time. Nowadays it means to go out and enjoy yourself, whereas in the mid 1800s when this phrase started to be used, it meant to 'engage in a riotous spree'.
3. What does 'it's raining cats and dogs' mean?

Answer: It's raining very heavily

There is no definitive origin to this idiom - one possibility is that cats and dogs were washed from the roofs in very bad weather.
4. What does 'at the eleventh hour' mean?

Answer: At the last minute

This expression may come from the Bible, referring to the story (Mark 20:9) of the labourers who were hired only for the last hour of the working day, but received the same pay as those who had worked all day. However, the link is not clearcut, and is disputed by some authorities.
5. What does 'jump the gun' mean?

Answer: Start doing something before you should

This phrase has been used since the early 20th century and refers to athletes making false starts.
6. What does 'let sleeping dogs lie' mean?

Answer: Leave things as they are

This phrase originates in 1380 and was coined by Chaucer.
7. What does 'to wear your welcome out' mean?

Answer: To stay for longer than the host wishes

Hopefully you will always know the right time to leave so that you will be welcomed back in future!
8. What does 'wet behind the ears' mean?

Answer: Naive or inexperienced

This phrase began circulating the USA in the early 20th century - it referred to the inexperience of a baby. The opposite phrase - dry behind the ears - was circulating at the same time and was used to express the idea that someone was mature.
9. What does 'don't let the cat out of the bag' mean?

Answer: Don't disclose a secret

This phrase dates back to the Middle Ages where markets were held to sell livestock. The purchaser would pick the animal that they desired and the merchant would put it in a bag for them to carry home. Sometimes however, in order to save themselves some money, the merchants would put an animal like a cat (one which is readily available) in the bag instead without the purchaser seeing.

This plan would only work if the purchaser did not open the bag until they got home, by which time it would be too late.
10. What is a 'pop quiz' to a North American student?

Answer: A surprise test

Though not necessarily an idiom, this is something that all high school students should know the meaning of!
Source: Author mcsheffrey19

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