Grade 5 · Reading · Vocabulary

5th Grade Idioms and Figurative Language worksheets

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Idioms and Figurative Language

Grade 5 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

NameDate

What does the bold idiom mean? Circle the answer.

1.
- start a talk
- a lucky break
- try your best
- in trouble
2.
- work late
- at risk
- feeling sick
- very easy
3.
- time goes fast
- join the crowd
- tell a secret
- go to bed
4.
- feeling sick
- get all eyes
- start a talk
- very rarely
5.
- a wrong guess
- tell a secret
- a lucky break
- cost too much
6.
- too much now
- very rarely
- very easy
- your turn now
7.
- do it badly
- feeling sick
- cost too much
- work late
8.
- try your best
- give up
- start a talk
- joking

5th Grade Idioms and Figurative Language worksheet 1 – printable PDF — Download PDF: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

Idioms and figurative language require students to move beyond the literal words and infer the intended meaning from context asks fifth graders to read closely, connect ideas across sentences, and choose evidence rather than a familiar-sounding answer. Students may picture the literal phrase and miss how the sentence uses it to describe a feeling, strategy, or result. This worksheet uses compact passages and source pairs so students must return to the words on the page before answering.

Students interpret idioms, use context clues, distinguish literal and figurative meanings, and explain why a writer chose a figurative phrase. Support versions use more direct wording. Standard and challenge versions add closer choices, longer evidence, or a second source to compare. Ask your child to point to the line, feature, or reason that proves the answer. If a choice sounds reasonable but cannot be proved from the text, it is not the best reading answer.

What your child will learn

Interpret idioms
Use the sentence to find a meaning
Tell an idiom from its plain words
Explain figurative meaning

Common Core standard: L.5.5.A

Worked example

"Break the ice" means to make an uncomfortable moment more relaxed, not to crack a real sheet of ice.

Common mistake

Choosing the literal meaning of an idiom even when the context points elsewhere.

Helpful hint

Read the sentence around the phrase and ask what the phrase means in that situation.

Next skill: Synonyms, Antonyms, and Analogies Earlier: Cause and Effect in Texts

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with idioms and figurative language?

Choosing the literal meaning of an idiom even when the context points elsewhere.

How can I help my child with idioms and figurative language?

Read the sentence around the phrase and ask what the phrase means in that situation.

Are these 5th grade reading worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

More 5th grade vocabulary

See all vocabulary

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