Idioms Quiz: Buildings

This quiz tests you on buildings idioms.

1. an ivory tower

If Professor Jones didn't spend all his time in his ivory tower, he would

a. be much healthier than he is

b. make much more money

c. know what people were thinking

2. chickens come home to roost

The chickens are coming home to roost for Dennis at last. For years he treated his wife and children badly, and now

a. they're taking care of him

b. they're still putting up with him

c. they've left and he's old and lonely

3. hit the roof

The movie's director hit the roof when the actress

a. forgot her lines

b. did her scene perfectly

c. kissed him on the cheek

4. hold the fort

The shop's manager had to go out for a while, so Julie held the fort

a. when he got back

b. while he was gone

c. before he went

5. make yourself at home

I said "Make yourself at home" after

a. inviting my friends inside

b. arriving at my friend's house

c. driving my friend to the airport

6. nothing to write home about

Leila said the new restaurant was nothing to write home about. She thought it was

a. excellent

b. just average

c. really terrible

7. put your own house in order | get your own house in order

Karen says I should put my own house in order before I

a. go on my vacation

b. give advice on decorating homes

c. tell other people what they should do

8. run-of-the-mill

Natasha says she's tired of going to run-of-the-mill restaurants every night. She wants to

a. go somewhere special

b. go somewhere cheap

c. go somewhere normal

9. the writing | handwriting is on the wall

The writing had been on the wall for a few months, so no-one was surprised when the restaurant

a. finally closed down

b. closed for renovations

c. opened a second branch

10. waiting in the wings

The assistant coach is waiting in the wings, and when the coach retires, he'll

a. leave as well

b. take over as coach

c. keep his job as assistant coach

NB: you can also print this quiz on paper.

1. an ivory tower - If Professor Jones didn't spend all his time in his ivory tower, he would: a) be much healthier than he is b) make much more money c) know what people were thinking

2. chickens come home to roost - The chickens are coming home to roost for Dennis at last. For years he treated his wife and children badly, and now: a) they're taking care of him b) they're still putting up with him c) they've left and he's old and lonely

3. hit the roof - The movie's director hit the roof when the actress: a) forgot her lines b) did her scene perfectly c) kissed him on the cheek

4. hold the fort - The shop's manager had to go out for a while, so Julie held the fort: a) when he got back b) while he was gone c) before he went

5. make yourself at home - I said "Make yourself at home" after: a) inviting my friends inside b) arriving at my friend's house c) driving my friend to the airport

6. nothing to write home about - Leila said the new restaurant was nothing to write home about. She thought it was: a) excellent b) just average c) really terrible

7. put your own house in order | get your own house in order - Karen says I should put my own house in order before I: a) go on my vacation b) give advice on decorating homes c) tell other people what they should do

8. run-of-the-mill - Natasha says she's tired of going to run-of-the-mill restaurants every night. She wants to: a) go somewhere special b) go somewhere cheap c) go somewhere normal

9. the writing | handwriting is on the wall - The writing had been on the wall for a few months, so no-one was surprised when the restaurant: a) finally closed down b) closed for renovations c) opened a second branch

10. waiting in the wings - The assistant coach is waiting in the wings, and when the coach retires, he'll: a) leave as well b) take over as coach c) keep his job as assistant coach

Contributor: Matt Errey