Garden-Grown Idioms

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Dig into expressions that sprouted from the garden — from "nip it in the bud" to "a thorn in my side," see how many of these plant-rooted sayings you know!

1.
If you "nip it in the bud," what are you doing?
A
Stopping a problem before it grows bigger
B
Planting seeds in early spring
C
Picking flowers at their peak bloom
D
Pruning dead branches from a tree
2.
When someone is described as "fresh as a daisy," what does it mean?
A
They smell like flowers
B
They are alert, lively, and full of energy
C
They have just come in from the garden
D
They are wearing bright colors
3.
What does it mean to say someone is "a thorn in your side"?
A
They are a helpful neighbor
B
They are a constant source of irritation or trouble
C
They work hard in the garden with you
D
They give good advice
4.
If you "beat around the bush," you are doing what?
A
Trimming hedges carelessly
B
Chasing animals out of the garden
C
Avoiding the main point of a conversation
D
Working very slowly in the yard
5.
What does the saying "everything is coming up roses" mean?
A
The garden is blooming beautifully this year
B
Things are going very well and turning out happily
C
Someone spends too much time on their flowers
D
Spring has arrived earlier than expected
6.
If you say a child is "no shrinking violet," what do you mean?
A
The child dislikes purple flowers
B
The child refuses to do garden chores
C
The child is bold and not at all shy
D
The child grows too fast for their age
7.
When someone says they heard something through "the grapevine," how did they hear it?
A
By reading the morning newspaper
B
Through unofficial gossip or rumor
C
From a trusted family member
D
Over the garden fence from a neighbor
8.
What does it mean when someone says a plan is "still in seed form"?
A
The plan involves growing vegetables
B
The plan is fully ready to be carried out
C
The plan is in its earliest, undeveloped stage
D
The plan has already begun to fail
9.
If someone says you are "barking up the wrong tree," what do they mean?
A
You are making too much noise outdoors
B
You are pursuing the wrong course of action or blaming the wrong person
C
You have planted a tree in the wrong spot
D
You are working too hard for little reward
10.
What does it mean to "turn over a new leaf"?
A
To rake the fallen leaves in autumn
B
To start fresh with improved behavior or habits
C
To plant new seedlings each spring
D
To discover a hidden talent late in life
11.
If something "goes to seed," what has happened to it?
A
It has been planted in the best possible location
B
It has deteriorated and gone into decline
C
It has produced an unexpectedly large harvest
D
It has been carefully preserved for next year
12.
What does the expression "to reap what you sow" mean?
A
Hard farming work always leads to a good harvest
B
You will face the consequences — good or bad — of your own actions
C
Gardening teaches patience and discipline
D
You should save seeds from your best plants
13.
When you "put down roots" somewhere, what are you doing?
A
Planting a large tree in your yard
B
Settling permanently and building a life in a place
C
Digging up your garden to start over
D
Visiting a place for the very first time
14.
The idiom "to rest on one's laurels" comes from which ancient tradition involving the laurel plant?
A
Roman soldiers who planted laurel trees after victories
B
Ancient Greeks who crowned champions with laurel wreaths as a symbol of achievement
C
Medieval monks who used laurel leaves in healing ceremonies
D
Egyptian pharaohs who burned laurel wood as a sacred offering
15.
Which plant-themed idiom describes a situation of comfort and ease, and is often used negatively to say something is harder than it looks?
A
A late bloomer
B
A bed of roses
C
A shrinking violet
D
A wallflower

Find more free puzzles and brain games at www.SeniorBrainGames.org