Idioms made Complicated

The words in bold are a complicated version of a common idiom; what does that idiom mean in this sentence?

On opening night, the actor’s manager told her “fracture a femur bone.”

• arrive on time

• be polite

• stay calm

• good luck

Answer explanation

“Fracture a femur bone” is a complex way of saying “break a leg.”

The words in bold are a complicated version of a common idiom; what does that idiom mean in this sentence?

Susan told her parents she was “beneath the meteorological conditions.”

• feeling ill

• madly in love

• recently wealthy

• available to visit

Answer explanation

“Beneath the meteorological conditions” is a long-winded way of saying “under the weather.”

The words in bold are a complicated version of a common idiom; what does that idiom mean in this sentence?

When it came to buying cars, Emma always made sure to “observe prior to bounding.”

• pick the best looking car

• research the cars

• buy an extended warranty

• haggle with the salesperson

The words in bold are a complicated version of a common idiom; what does that idiom mean in this sentence?

After hearing his friend’s new business plan, Michael did not want to “skip the catamaran.”

• risk a lot of money

• act hastily

• copy the same idea

• lose out on an opportunity

Answer explanation

“Skip the catamaran” is a complicated way to say “miss the boat.”

The words in bold are a complicated version of a common idiom; what does that idiom mean in this sentence?

The dad told his son it was time to “strike the satchel.”

• learn to drive

• eat dinner

• go to sleep

• get a haircut

Answer explanation

“Strike the satchel” is an enigmatic way of saying “hit the sack.”

The words in bold are a complicated version of a common idiom; what does that idiom mean in this sentence?

Terry was careful not to “disgorge the legumes.”

• tell a secret

• wake up the dog

• be late

• miscount

Answer explanation

“Disgorge the legumes” is an extravagant way to say “spill the beans.”

The words in bold are a complicated version of a common idiom; what does that idiom mean in this sentence?

Mr. Harvey told his students that they shouldn’t “smack all sides of the shrubbery.”

• lie

• cheat

• stall

• kick

Answer explanation

“Smack all sides of the shrubbery” is a preposterous way of saying “beat around the bush.”

The words in bold are a complicated version of a common idiom; what does that idiom mean in this sentence?

Jenny thought her next opponent in the chess tournament would be “a sliver of gâteau.”

• impossible to defeat

• an artificial intelligence

• unexpectedly young

• easy to defeat

Answer explanation

“A sliver of gâteau” is a fanciful way of saying “a piece of cake.”

The words in bold are a complicated version of a common idiom; what does that idiom mean in this sentence?

Rebecca knew in the world of business it was unwise to “conflagrate your viaducts.”

• overexert yourself

• make enemies

• prematurely celebrate

• trust everyone

Answer explanation

“Conflagrate your viaducts” is a labored way to say “burn your bridges.”

The words in bold are a complicated version of a common idiom; what does that idiom mean in this sentence?

After the accident, Nana said “it’s unwise to blubber about discharged lactose.”

• make sure to apologize

• things will get better with time

• don't stress about what's happened

• be more careful next time

Answer explanation

“It’s unwise to blubber about discharged lactose” is roughly equivalent to “it’s no use crying over spilled milk.”