Some of the idioms we have in English must be strange to people from other countries. Phrases such as “I’m not pulling your leg” cannot simply be translated – they must also be explained.

People in other countries have their own idioms that often confuse English speakers.

In the following quiz, see if you can match the correct idiom with its meaning.

•This following information is taken from I’m Not Hanging Noodles on Your Ears by Jag Bhalla. National Geographic Books.

In France, an idiom for having the blues is which of the following?

A. Having the cockroach

B. Having the greens.

C. Dancing on your tomb.

D. Pulling the key from your throat.

In France, an idiom for having the blues is which of the following?

A. Having the cockroach

B. Having the greens.

C. Dancing on your tomb.

In France, an idiom for having the blues is which of the following?

A. Having the cockroach

B. Having the greens.

In France, an idiom for having the blues is which of the following?

A. Having the cockroach

In Puerto Rico, an idiom for a bitter person is someone who…?

B. Tries to hold up the pants with only two toes

C. Has many Christmases with no Christmas Eve.

D. Ran the race on the wrong day.

A. Tastes like chocolate without the sweetness

In Puerto Rico, an idiom for a bitter person is someone who…?

B. Tries to hold up the pants with only two toes

C. Has many Christmases with no Christmas Eve.

D. Ran the race on the wrong day.

In Puerto Rico, an idiom for a bitter person is someone who…?

C. Has many Christmases with no Christmas Eve.

D. Ran the race on the wrong day.

In Puerto Rico, an idiom for a bitter person is someone who…?

C. Has many Christmases with no Christmas Eve.

In France, an idiom for hitting someone’s face is which of the

following?

A. Damaging his portrait

B. Performing nose surgery

C. Playing the insulted liver sausage

D. Rearranging the clay

In France, an idiom for hitting someone’s face is which of the

following?

A. Damaging his portrait

B. Performing nose surgery

C. Playing the insulted liver sausage

In France, an idiom for hitting someone’s face is which of the

following?

A. Damaging his portrait

B. Performing nose surgery

In France, an idiom for hitting someone’s face is which of the

following?

A. Damaging his portrait

In Germany, an idiom for a living very well is which of the following?

A. Driving goldfish to insanity.

C. Drinking diamond water

D. Smelling like the filth of gold

B. Living on a large foot

In Germany, an idiom for a living very well is which of the following?

A. Driving goldfish to insanity.

D. Smelling like the filth of gold

B. Living on a large foot

In Germany, an idiom for a living very well is which of the following?

A. Driving goldfish to insanity.

B. Living on a large foot

In Germany, an idiom for a living very well is which of the following?

B. Living on a large foot

Prepared by Chris Hilgeman

Sources:

The correct answers come from the great book by Jag Bhalla, I’m Not Hanging Noodles On Your Ears. I’ve also included another website below that corroborates some of his information. I highly recommend you get a copy of the book for yourself since it contains hundreds of entertaining idioms. You can find Bhalla’s book on Amazon.com or on his website, www.hangingnoodles.com

Books:

Bhalla, Jag. I’m Not Hanging Noodles On Your Ears. National Geographic, 2009.

Other websites:

http://lacoquette.blogs.com/la_coquette/2005/02/having_cockroac.html