IXL | Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 2

What is the meaning of hanging by a thread?

After Jacob's third traffic ticket, his hopes of becoming a truck driver were hanging by a thread.

in an uncertain or risky position

sudden and unplanned

ref_doc_title.

Learn with an example

question

What is the meaning of sharp as a tack?

Although Mr. Sandoval is nearly eighty years old, he is still as sharp as a tack.

witty and intelligent

in an uncertain or risky position

key idea

An idiom is a phrase that means something different than what the words in the phrase mean on their own.

Under the weather is an idiom. It isn't about the weather. It means that someone isn't feeling well.

Sally stayed home because she's feeling under the weather.

The meanings of idioms cannot be found by looking at the meaning of each word. So, you have to remember them or figure out their meanings by looking at how they are used.

solution

Sharp as a tack is an idiom. To figure out its meaning, look at the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

It means witty and intelligent.

$Confetti$

Excellent!

Now entering the Challenge Zone—are you ready?

Questions
answeredQuestions

Time
elapsedTime

hr	min	sec
00	00	06

SmartScore
out of 100
IXL's SmartScore is a dynamic measure of progress towards mastery, rather than a percentage grade. It tracks your skill level as you tackle progressively more difficult questions. Consistently answer questions correctly to reach excellence (90), or conquer the Challenge Zone to achieve mastery (100)! Learn more

Teacher tools

Work it out

Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

EE.1Determine the meaning of idioms from context: set 1

RR.1Choose the picture that matches the idiomatic expression

Excellent! You got that right!

Jumping to level 1 of 1

Excellent!