Idioms That Strike a Chord
1 / 15When someone tells you to "face the music," what are they asking you to do?
About Idioms That Strike a Chord
Tune in to musical expressions like "face the music," "change your tune," and "it rings a bell," and pick what each one really means in everyday conversation. Idioms That Strike a Chord packs 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 9 easy, 5 medium, 1 hard questions into a relaxed session of roughly 7 minutes — no sign-up, no timer pressure. An explanation appears after every answer, and finishing once a day keeps your streak alive.
A few sample questions
1. When someone tells you to "face the music," what are they asking you to do?
Answer: Accept the consequences of your actions
"Face the music" means to bravely accept punishment or an unpleasant outcome you can no longer avoid. The phrase likely comes from the military tradition of a soldier being drummed out of a regiment.
2. If a friend says, "That name rings a bell," what do they mean?
Answer: The name sounds vaguely familiar
"Rings a bell" means something sounds familiar or triggers a distant memory, much like a bell's chime catching your attention. It has been a common English expression since at least the early 20th century.
3. What does it mean when someone says they will "call the tune"?
Answer: Be the one in charge and making decisions
"Call the tune" means to be in control or to dictate how things are done, coming from the old saying "He who pays the piper calls the tune" — the person paying gets to choose the music.
4. If someone has "changed their tune," what has happened?
Answer: They have shifted their opinion or attitude
"Changed their tune" means a person has altered their opinion, attitude, or way of behaving, often after new information or pressure. It draws on the image of a musician switching from one melody to another.
5. When you say something "strikes a chord" with you, what do you mean?
Answer: It touches your emotions or resonates with your feelings
"Strikes a chord" means something resonates emotionally or connects with your own experiences and feelings, just as a musical chord can stir deep emotion in a listener.
Things you'll learn along the way
- "Blow your own trumpet" (or "toot your own horn" in American English) means to boast about yourself. In earlier times, important people had heralds blow trumpets to announce their arrival.
- "Like a broken record" describes something — usually a person's words — repeated so often it becomes annoying, just like a scratched vinyl record that skips and replays the same short groove endlessly.
- "Drum something into someone" means to teach or emphasize something through constant repetition, much like a drumbeat that pounds a steady rhythm until it cannot be ignored.
Frequently asked questions
Is Idioms That Strike a Chord free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Idioms That Strike a Chord — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
How long does Idioms That Strike a Chord take?
Most players finish Idioms That Strike a Chord in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
What's a good follow-up after Idioms That Strike a Chord?
If you enjoyed this word games quiz, try the Daily Challenge — five rotating questions, refreshed every 24 hours, that count toward your streak. You can also use the Surprise Me button on the homepage to land on a different game type for variety.
Can I print Idioms That Strike a Chord?
Yes — use the Print button at the top of the page for a clean question sheet, or "Print with Answers" to make an answer key. Printed sheets work well for group play at home, in a classroom, or at a senior center.
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