Targets in English: Idioms with Names: Test Your Knowledge

People's names are used in numerous idioms. What does it mean if you don't know someone from Adam? Is it better to be a Jack-of-all-trades or a Jekyll and Hyde? And if your company has a lot of Mickey Mouse rules, do those rules make you laugh?

Here we'll check out a number of common idioms that come from people's names.

First, take this quick idiom quiz to test your knowledge now. Write your answers down on a piece of paper and then look at the answer key on the bottom.

Idiom Quiz: Names

1. Jane started a new computer class. After one week she said, “It’s really a Mickey Mouse class.” She means the class is:

A. humorous and fun

B. extremely difficult

C. easy and ridiculous

D. deep and thoughtful

2. Hi, I’m a jack-of-all-trades! You can trust me because ___.

A. I’m a great dealmaker.

B. I know how to do many things.

C. I’m a stock trader.

D. My name’s Jack.

3. “After only a few weeks, Janet saw that her new manager was a Jekyll and Hyde character.” This means:

A. Janet worked for a law firm.

B. Her new manager was a real professional.

C. Her new boss’s behavior was unstable.

D. Her boss had a bad haircut.

4. Our manager said, “When planning the meeting, remember Murphy’s Law.” He meant:

A. Don’t break any laws.

B. Don’t spend too much money.

C. Think of everything that can go wrong.

D. The more luxury, the better.

5. I asked the rental car company for a fast car, and, wow, they gave me the real McCoy. The car was ___.

A. a true lemon

B. not the car they said it was

C. just what they said it was

D. a famous Scottish sports car

6. The salesman handed me the contract and said, “I just need your John Hancock.” He wanted my ___.

A. ID

B. signature

C. payment

D. handshake

7. “The new IT guy we hired is always Johnny-on-the-spot.” This means the new IT guy ___.

A. is always there ready to help

B. works cheaply

C. is very experienced

D. is named John

8. Sam asks: “Hey, where’s the John?” What is Sam looking for?

A. a telephone

B. an elevator

C. a toilet

D. his friend Jonathan

9. George bought a new car because he wanted to keep up with the Joneses. This means he bought it because ___.

A. His current car isn’t fast enough.

B. His neighbor bought one.

C. He has to drive a lot.

D. He bought it for good luck.

10. If a contract refers to a person called John Doe, that person is ___.

A. a buyer

B. a seller

C. benefiting

D. unnamed

Answers

Below are answers to the Idiom Quiz. For definitions and explanations of the idioms, go to Great Scott! Idiomswith Names! Part 1.