Cartoon illustration of a marble and a bucket for a funny English idioms quiz.
Think you are "as sharp as a marble"? Test your word power with our funny idioms quiz.
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Funny idioms quiz: Test your knowledge of English expressions

Mik aka NatureCrankByMik aka NatureCrank Updated on
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Think you are “as sharp as a marble”? It’s time to find out! English is full of bizarre imagery and confusing phrases that make no sense when taken literally. From “raining cats and dogs” to “barking up the wrong tree,” this interactive quiz will test your mastery of the language’s most colorful quirks. See if you can spot the “eggcorns” and navigate the cultural playground of funny idioms.

How well do you know common funny English idioms? Take this 10-question quiz to test your understanding of funny phrases and “eggcorns.”

1. Which idiom is used for someone physically present but mentally absent?[cite: 1]
The lights are on, but nobody’s home[cite: 1]
As sharp as a marble[cite: 1]
A few sandwiches short of a picnic[cite: 1]
2. Complete the phrase: “You’re barking up the wrong _______.”[cite: 1]
3. What does “nip it in the bud” actually refer to?[cite: 1]
Stopping a problem while it is a small flower[cite: 1]
A physical assault[cite: 1]
4. Which idiom means to reveal a secret?[cite: 1]
Wild goose chase[cite: 1]
Let the cat out of the bag[cite: 1]
5. Match “Bring home the bacon” to its meaning:[cite: 1]
To cook a meal[cite: 1]
To earn money for the family[cite: 1]
6. Why do theater performers say “break a leg”?[cite: 1]
To avoid “jinxing” the performance[cite: 1]
It is a literal threat[cite: 1]
7. Which is used sarcastically for someone not very bright?[cite: 1]
Cool as a cucumber[cite: 1]
As sharp as a marble[cite: 1]
8. Criticizing after a situation makes you a “Monday morning _______.”[cite: 1]
9. What does “the carrots are cooked” mean in France?[cite: 1]
Dinner is ready[cite: 1]
The situation cannot be changed[cite: 1]
10. Correct spelling for exciting someone’s interest:[cite: 1]
Peak[cite: 1]
Pique[cite: 1]

  • Question 1: The lights are on, but nobody’s home.
  • Question 2: Tree (Barking up the wrong tree).
  • Question 3: Stopping a problem while it is a small flower.
  • Question 4: Let the cat out of the bag.
  • Question 5: To earn money for the family.
  • Question 6: To avoid "jinxing" the performance.
  • Question 7: As sharp as a marble.
  • Question 8: Quarterback (Monday morning quarterback).
  • Question 9: The situation cannot be changed.
  • Question 10: Pique (Pique my interest).

Score interpretation table

ScoreStatusAction
0–4BeginnerTime to brush up on the basics!
5–8IntermediateYou've got a great handle on common phrases.
9–10Native levelYou passed with flying colors!

Master the art of English idioms

Don't let the learning stop here! If some of these phrases left you "barking up the wrong tree," our full guide has the answers you're looking for. Explore the fascinating—and sometimes dark—history behind the world's most confusing expressions.

What you'll discover in the full article:

  • The dark origins: Why we say "kick the bucket" during a storm.
  • Regional quirks: Hilarious slang from Australia, the UK, and the USA.
  • Animal metaphors: Why it's "raining cats and dogs" and how to spot a "wild goose chase".
  • Avoid the "eggcorns": Common mistakes like "nip it in the butt" vs. "nip it in the bud".

Ready to go from "beginner" to "native level"?

Read the full guide: Funny idioms that will leave you laughing and confused.

Don't keep the fun to yourself! If this quiz helped you make sense of a confusing phrase, share it with a friend who might be "a few sandwiches short of a picnic" when it comes to English slang.

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Mik aka NatureCrank

About the author
Mik is a veteran, educator, and writer who has lived off-grid and nomadic since 2020. His perspective is shaped by a diverse career in both for-profit and non-profit management, as well as years of experience as an instructor in biology, psychology, health, and ESL.

By blending his formal studies in counseling and science with the practical realities of life on the trail, Mik provides a unique, grounded approach to nature-based healing. When he isn’t documenting the natural world through wildlife photography and geology, he is exploring the intersection of scientific research and the restorative power of the outdoors.