Words Only Used in One Phrase

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Some English words survive only in a single common phrase. Can you identify these rare words and the phrases that keep them alive?

1.
The word 'kith' almost only appears in which phrase?
A
Kith and kernel
B
Kith and kind
C
Kith and kin
D
Kith and caboodle
2.
What does 'kith' actually mean?
A
Friends and acquaintances
B
Distant relatives
C
Siblings
D
Neighbors
3.
The word 'shrift' almost exclusively appears in which phrase?
A
Final shrift
B
Short shrift
C
Good shrift
D
Long shrift
4.
What did 'shrift' originally mean?
A
A quick punishment
B
A type of gift
C
Confession or penance
D
A short period of time
5.
The word 'dint' survives mainly in which phrase?
A
By dint of
B
At the dint
C
Dint of luck
D
Dint and dash
6.
The word 'umbrage' is mostly found in which expression?
A
Give umbrage
B
Without umbrage
C
Take umbrage
D
Full of umbrage
7.
The word 'fettle' primarily appears in which phrase?
A
Out of fettle
B
Good fettle
C
Old fettle
D
In fine fettle
8.
The word 'deserts' (meaning what you deserve) mainly appears in which phrase?
A
Sweet deserts
B
Just deserts
C
Barren deserts
D
Desert island
9.
The word 'wreak' is almost exclusively used in which phrase?
A
Wreak revenge
B
Wreak destruction
C
Wreak damage
D
Wreak havoc
10.
The word 'caboodle' mainly survives in which expression?
A
The whole caboodle
B
Kit and caboodle
C
Lock and caboodle
D
Both B and C
11.
The word 'amok' (or 'amuck') is mainly used in which phrase?
A
Go amok
B
Full of amok
C
Both B and C
D
Run amok
12.
The word 'ado' primarily appears in which phrases?
A
A great ado
B
In an ado
C
Without an ado
D
Without further ado / Much ado about nothing
13.
The word 'fro' survives mainly in which phrase?
A
Back and fro
B
Fro and against
C
Here and fro
D
To and fro
14.
The word 'bated' (not 'baited') appears mainly in which phrase?
A
Bated trap
B
Bated line
C
Bated breath
D
Bated hook
15.
What does 'bated' mean in 'bated breath'?
A
Smelly
B
Restrained or held back
C
Heavy
D
Quick

Answer Key

Question 1

C. Kith and kin

Question 2

A. Friends and acquaintances

Question 3

B. Short shrift

Question 4

C. Confession or penance

Question 5

A. By dint of

Question 6

C. Take umbrage

Question 7

D. In fine fettle

Question 8

B. Just deserts

Question 9

D. Wreak havoc

Question 10

D. Both B and C

Question 11

C. Both B and C

Question 12

D. Without further ado / Much ado about nothing

Question 13

D. To and fro

Question 14

C. Bated breath

Question 15

B. Restrained or held back

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