Classroom activity · Crossword puzzles

Idioms Crossword

Raining cats and dogs, a piece of cake, break a leg: finish ten idioms and learn what they really mean.

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Grade level
Grades 4–5
Time
About 25 minutes
Answer key
Yes, page 2 of the PDF
Kids practice
Vocabulary, Spelling, Reading clues, Problem solving

What kids do

“An idiom means something different from its words. Finish each idiom. The meaning is in brackets.”

Printed on the sheet:

  1. 9. Break the ___ (start talking with someone new)
  2. 3. Beat around the ___ (avoid saying something)

Teacher tip

Have kids draw what an idiom would look like if it were true.

How to use it

  • Let kids work in pencil so they can erase.
  • Read the clues aloud for younger kids or new readers.
  • Let kids work with a partner so they talk through their thinking.

Watch for

Kids stuck on one clue. Remind them to skip it and come back.

Talk about it

  • Which word was new to you?
  • What was the trickiest part? How did you get past it?

Take it further

Use the words for a quick vocabulary game later in the week.

US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.

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