When Would You Say It
Read each situation. Which idiom would you say? Circle it, then say a sentence out loud using it.
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This is sheet #171124601.
How to do it
- Read the situation.
- Circle the idiom that fits.
- Say a sentence out loud using it.
Teaching tip
Ask your student to act out the situation and use the idiom in it. This sheet is aligned with Common Core L.4.5b.
About this worksheet
Situations like "A friend invites you over, but you're busy," each with three idioms to choose from. Fewer, Standard or More give 5, 6 or 7. Includes an answer key.
What kids practice
An idiom is a saying that means something different from its words, like "in a pickle" for being in a tricky situation. Idioms come up all the time in conversation, so understanding and using them helps students follow what people mean and join in. These sheets are about talking: explaining idioms, choosing one that fits a moment and using them out loud. They use a different set of idioms from the 4th grade Reading topic.
Watch for
- Taking an idiom word for word, like picturing a real fish out of water.
- Using an idiom in the wrong situation, where its meaning doesn't fit.
- Changing the words of an idiom so it no longer makes sense.
- Knowing what an idiom means but never using it.
It's free to print, with Fewer, Standard or More on the page and an answer key. See the full idioms guide for 4th grade.
More sheets in this set
- See it all
1. Idioms ChartTwenty-four idioms grouped by animals, food, the body and weather, each with what it really means. 
2. Explain It to a FriendIdioms like "a fish out of water" in example sentences, to explain out loud and then write the meaning. Fewer, Standard or More give 4, 5 or 6. Includes an answer key.
4. Finish the ConversationShort two-person conversations with a missing idiom to fill in from a word box. Fewer, Standard or More give 4, 5 or 6. Includes an answer key.
5. Act It Out CardsEight idiom cards to cut out and act out, each with what the idiom means.
6. Use It About YourselfPrompts like "Tell about a time you were in a pickle" to answer out loud with the idiom. Fewer, Standard or More give 3, 4 or 5.
7. Idiom Talk GameA board game for 2 to 4 players with idioms on the spaces and a few special spaces. All you need is a coin and a small marker for each player.
8. Idiom of the Day LogFive idioms for a week, Monday to Friday, with space to write what each means and when you used it.