English Idioms Quiz

At the drop of a hat means instantly or without any hesitation. The phrase suggests that something happens as quickly and suddenly as a hat falling to the ground - no delay, no preparation needed.

A baker's dozen is 13, one more than a regular dozen of 12. This tradition dates back to medieval times when bakers would add an extra loaf to ensure they weren't selling underweight bread and risking punishment.

The idiom "bite your tongue" means to stop yourself from saying something, typically to avoid causing offense or trouble. "Get light injury" is a literal (incorrect) interpretation. "Be Alert" and "Eat more" are unrelated to the idiom's meaning.

The idiom "cry wolf" comes from Aesop's fable where a shepherd boy repeatedly falsely claims a wolf is attacking, so when a wolf actually appears, no one believes him. It means making fake complaints or false alarms, not deep grief or loneliness.

The idiom "dead ringer" means an exact copy or identical look-alike, often used to describe two people who look extremely similar. It doesn't mean being ill, alert, or about to fall - the term comes from bells/ringing, not health or falling.

A "dry run" means a trial or rehearsal practice of something before the actual event. It's not about running in a desert, running long distances, or having no idea - the term comes from theater and military contexts where practices were done without ammunition or actual resources.

"Get your walking papers" is an idiomatic expression meaning to get fired or dismissed from a job. It refers to being given notice to leave, similar to receiving a dismissal letter. It's not about morning routines, general knowledge, or physical injuries.

"Down to the wire" means finishing something at the very last moment, with almost no time to spare. It comes from horse racing where the wire at the finish line determined the winner. It doesn't mean being simple, falling from heights, or surprise.

"Eighty six" (often written "86'd") means something is not available, removed, or rejected - commonly used in restaurants for menu items sold out. It doesn't mean being old, rigid, or ignored - the origin is debated but commonly linked to restaurant slang.