Sooner or later all English students will learn idioms. English uses so many idiomatic expressions that it is truly impossible to learn English without learning at least a few!

Taking quizzes is one of the best ways to learn a number of idioms while having a bit of fun. There are a number of idiom and expression quiz resources on this site. Here they are grouped into various categories to help you get started:

Idioms and Expressions with Specific Words

There are certain nouns and verbs that are used in a number of idioms and expressions. These idioms are said to collocate with a specific word.

For example:

put a cork in it
all in a day's work

These quizzes focus on idioms and expressions constructed with one particular word:

Idioms and Expressions - As ... As
Idioms and Expressions - Like
Idioms and Expressions - Around
Idioms and Expressions - Come
Idioms and Expressions - Put
Idioms and Expressions - Get
Idioms and Expressions - Work
Idioms and Expressions - All

Idioms and Expressions with Verbs

Action verbs are often used in idiomatic expressions. These quizzes focus on verbal idiomatic expressions and use a mix of verbs:

Action Verb Idioms #1
Action Verb Idioms #2

Idioms and Expressions by Theme

Idioms and expressions often relate to specific themes such as animals.

For example:

kill two birds with one stone

Idiom Quiz - English Clothing Idioms
Body Idioms
Common Body Idioms 1 (heart, head, teeth, etc.)
Common Body Idioms 2 (heart, head, teeth, etc.)
Animal Idioms
Color Idioms

Mixed Idiom Quizzes

These quizzes test a wide variety of idioms in no random order. These quizzes are for upper level ESL / EFL classes.

April Fool's Day: Spot the Mistake
Common Idiomatic Phrases Quiz 1
Common Idiomatic Phrases Quiz 2
Common Idiomatic Phrases Quiz 3
Common Idiomatic Phrases Quiz 4

Printable Idiom Quizzes for In-Class Use

A number of quizzes can be printed out for in-class use:

Body Idioms Quiz - 1
Body Idioms Quiz - 2
Colloquial Pairs Quiz - 1
Colloquial Pairs Quiz - 2
Common Idiomatic Phrases Quiz - 1
Common Idiomatic Phrases Quiz - 2
Common Idiomatic Phrases Quiz - 3

Idiom Reference Resources

Learning idioms can be challenging. Here are a number of idiom reference pages:

Sports Idioms
Top Resource Books for American Idioms
Idioms and Expressions - Work
Idioms and Expressions - Get
Idioms and Expressions with All
Idioms and Expressions - Around
Idioms and Expressions - Put
Idioms and Expressions - Come
Idiom Glossary

By Kenneth Beare, About.com Guide

Twitter