EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REVIEW SESSIONS)

IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS (Idioms) / KAWIKAAN SA FILIPINO (Sawikain)

Definition:
- Informal language that have a meaning different from the meaning of the words in the expression
- An idiom (also called idiomatic expression) is an expression, word, or phrase that has a figurative
meaning conventionally understood by native speakers.

PRACTICE TEST:
1. To tell you the truth, the athletes were starving. 8. Pilar’s’s high-pitched voice gets on everybody’s
a) In other words nerves.
b) To explain why a) Irritates everybody
c) To be honest b) Sounds nervous
d) To elaborate c) Sounds melodious
d) Sounds convinced
2. The old beggar was arrested for the murder
because he looked like the killer. It stands to 9. Peping always picks on his little brother.
reason that he is furious. a) Lifts
a) It is surprising b) Beats
b) He wanted to say c) Competes
c) It is to be expected d) Chooses for teasing or punishment
d) He wanted to keep
10. It’s better not to talk to Sosoy. He got out of bed
3. Delilah made a deal with his Singaporean client. on the wrong side this morning.
a) Agreed to do business with a) Hurt himself when he got up
b) Discussed it with b) Has been in a bad mood since he got up
c) Produced something with c) Comfort himself when we woke up
d) Talked about it d) Was in a good mood when he went to sleep

4. After a few minutes of social talk, we got down 11. I think we can safely say now that we have
to business. gotten our money back, we are home and dry.
a) Began to talk seriously a) Have been successful
b) Sat down b) Have gotten no water
c) Talked about our jobs c) Have gotten home dry
d) Left the venue d) Have been successful

5. After working for the company in Davao for 12. Karding should not go outside without a raincoat
three months, Chris put in for a promotion. because it’s raining cats and dogs.
a) Received a) It’s raining very heavily
b) Requested b) It’s just started to rain
c) Rejected c) It’s raining a little
d) Expanded d) It’s raining for a month

6. Pamela’s job brought her into contact with a lot 13. It’s a lovely vacation house but nobody uses it so
of celebrity performers. it’s a bit of a white elephant.
a) Helped her see a) Something very expensive and useless
b) Helped her call b) Something very big and useful
c) Helped her send e-email to c) Something very beautiful and useful
d) Helped her manage d) Something very cheap and useless

7. The notorious robbers in the city prowled 14. There are times when Lola flora must decide and
around. take the bully by the horns.
a) Killed everybody a) Make a final decision
b) Screamed b) Make the wrong decision
c) Threatened everyone c) Make the right decision
d) Walked carefully and quietly d) Make a bold decision

THIS PRACTICE TEST IS NOT FOR SALE AND SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM
Page 1 of 6
 EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REVIEW SESSIONS)
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS (Idioms) / KAWIKAAN SA FILIPINO (Sawikain)
15. Without her glasses, Norma can’t see where she
is going, In fact, she is as blind as a bat. 21. If Sophia wants to get a student visa, she must go
a) Very long sighted through the proper channels.
b) Very clear sighted a) Do something the prescribed way
c) Very far sighted b) Get a lot of information
d) Very short sighted c) Look for more people
d) Be patient
16. The finance officer had a hangover so he just put
his feet up and watched Pinoy telenovela 22. Sam cannot understand why Mark did that, it
episodes all day. really doesn’t add up
a) Washed himself a) Doesn’t make sense
b) Rested b) Isn’t mathematics
c) Did exercise c) Doesn’t calculate
d) Traveled d) Makes the wrong computation

17. When I saw the electric bill, I saw red. They had
charged me more than double than the estimate I
had received before the job was done.
a) Became excited
b) Became vengeful
c) Became very angry
d) Blushed heavily
18. No one mentions Maria because she is
considered as the black sheep of the family.
a) The one who is always late
b) The one who is always adored
c) The one with a bad reputation
d) The one who cannot be trusted
19. When the food chain business folded. He took
the lion’s share of the assets.
a) The easiest part
b) The essential part
c) The cheapest part
d) The largest part
20. Every Sunday, Moira buries herself in books.
a) Tries to
b) Becomes very involved in
c) Becomes unfamiliar
d) Finishes
23. The old woman dislikes “Eat all you can”
restaurants because she thinks the idea of paying
one price of to eat much as you want encourages
people to pig out.
a) Eat a little
b) Eat in small bits
c) Eat a lot
d) Eat once in a while
24. Zumba really isn’t my cup of tea. But I’ll go to
concert if that’s what everyone else want to do.
a) Not something one enjoys very much
b) Not something one loves to drink
c) Not something one thinks of
d) Not something one loves to taste
25. Tonyo always picks on his little brother.
a) Lifts
b) Beats
c) Competes
d) Chooses for teasing or punishment

Common English Idioms Meaning

Beat around the bush To avoid talking about what’s important

Get your act together Get organized and do things effectively

Hit the sack Go to sleep
Your guess is as good as mine I do not know
Good things come to those who wait To have patience
Back against the wall Stuck in a difficult circumstance with no escape

THIS PRACTICE TEST IS NOT FOR SALE AND SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM
Page 2 of 6
 EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REVIEW SESSIONS)
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS (Idioms) / KAWIKAAN SA FILIPINO (Sawikain)
Common English Idioms Meaning

Up in arms Being grumpy or angry about something

Scrape the barrel Making the most of the worst situations or things because
you can’t do anything about it
Burn your boats/bridges Doing something that makes it impossible to go back to the
original state.
Break fresh/ new ground Doing something that has never been done before
Sell like hot cakes Quick sellout
Run around in circles Putting efforts into something that is not a worthwhile result
On cloud nine Being very happy
Left out in the cold Being ignored
Blow hot and cold Alternate inconsistently between moods and actions
Cut corners Doing something in an easier and least expensive manner
Boil the ocean Taking up an almost impossible or overly ambitious project
Keep an ear to the ground Staying informed and updated about everything
Eat like a horse Eating too excessively
A snowball effect The aspect of momentum in every event and how they build
upon each other
Black Sheep Disgrace in the family

Draw the line To stop before a point where something okay gets not okay.

Break a leg Saying good luck to someone.

Fish out of water To be outside one’s comfort zone

Lose your marbles Go crazy or insane.

Take a rain check Postpone a plan

Throw caution to the wind Take a risk

Take it with a grain of salt Don’t take it too seriously.

THIS PRACTICE TEST IS NOT FOR SALE AND SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM
Page 3 of 6
 EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REVIEW SESSIONS)
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS (Idioms) / KAWIKAAN SA FILIPINO (Sawikain)
PAGSASANAY: 8. Napakahaba ng alulod ng kanilang kapitbahay kaya
mahirap siyang mapagkatiwalaan.
1. Ang ikapitong langit ay mahirap makamtan sa a) magnanakaw ng gamit ng iba
mundong ibabaw b) mapagsagot sa usapang hindi siya kasali
a) katuparan ng mga pangarap c) sobrang makitid ang utak
b) kaligayahang walang kahambing d) abot kahit saan ang pagiging tsismosa
c) buhay na walang hanggan
d) kawalan ng karamdaman 9. Mag-ingat sa akala mo ay mahinhin dahil baka
mahinhing-talinpandas pala.
2. Kahit na siya ay huwang lamig, minahal pa rin siya a) puro pagpapaganda ang alam gawin
nang labis-labis ng kanyang mga magualang. b) sobrang maarte sa lahat ng bagay
a) hindi tunay na kamag-anak c) sa sobrang tingin ay mahinhin ngunit ang totoo'y
b) pasaway na bata magaslaw
c) walang maibigay na biyaya sa pamilya d) isang mapang-panggap na babae
d) iba ang pananampalataya
10.Mahalang diskubrehin ng isang tao kung ang
3. Ang mga bayong na walang laman ay laging umaasa kanyang nililigawan ay may mga kamag-anak na
sa tulong ng ibang tao. maluwag ang turnilyo dahil baka totoong ito ay
a) hindi nakakaintindi sa sinasabi sa kanya namamana
b) taong hindi kayang tumayong mag-isa a) mga batugan sa tabaho
c) isang taong kung mag-isip ay napakababaw b) nahihirapan sa pagsagot sa mga tanong
d) salat sa kayamanan c) kulang-kulang o luko-luko
d) laging namumukpok
4. Nakakabara ng ilong ang sobrang trapiko sa siyudad
kaya mainam din ang paminsan-minsang 11.Ang kasal nina Dingdong at Marriane ay makabasag
magbakasyon sa probinsiya kampana.
a) nakakapagdulot ng sakit a) engrande
b) nakakaitim ng ilong b) maingay
c) nakakainit ng ulo c) maraming kilalang mga tao
d) nakakatamad lumabas d) mamahalin

5. Huwag hintayin ang panahong hindi na makasampa sa 12.Mas mainam ang dahan-dahan sa pagtatrabaho
pugad ang iyong mga magulang bago mo sila bigyan kaysa magsabutiki.
ng panahon. a) mapaso
a) wala ng pera b) madisgrasya
b) patay na c) mauntog
c) matanda o mahina na d) gumawa ng hindi kaya
d) nakaalis na sa iyong poder
13.Sinabihan sila ng kanilang mga amo na mga
6. Nakakabilib ang mgı lalaking laging hindi kakapitan pambala sila ng kanyon kaya masama ang kanilang
ng alikabok ang kanilang porma sa araw-araw. loob.
a) Malinis a) Walang silbi
b) bihis na bihis b) Dapat nag sundalo
c) makintab c) Pabigat
d) masining d) Matitibay

7. Ayaw niyang lumabas dahil siya ay nabagsakan ng 14.Ang mga nanalo sa paligsahan sa pag-awit ay sinuob
langka. ng kamanyang.
a) napilay a) pinalakpakan ng mga tao
b) nadumihan ang mga damit b) pinuri gamit ang mabubuting salita
c) may bulutong c) binigyan ng bagong trabaho
d) pumanget d) ipinakilala sa sımbayanan

THIS PRACTICE TEST IS NOT FOR SALE AND SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM
Page 4 of 6
 EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REVIEW SESSIONS)
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS (Idioms) / KAWIKAAN SA FILIPINO (Sawikain)
15.Hindi pa handa na mag-asawa ang isang taong
walang kamay. 18.Mahirap katabi ang isang taong may uwang sa
a) may kapansanan puwit.
b) kinukuha ang mga bagay na hindi pagmamay-ari a) Mabantot
c) hindi marunong ng isang uri ng gawain b) napakalikot
d) walang pakialam c) walang pakialam
d) hindi nakatutuwa
16.Kailangang marunong ang isang tao na maghanda
para sa kanyang kinabukasan kaya dapat alam niya 19.Ang Pangulo ng Bansa ay sumugba sa ningas sa
kung paano siya hindi malalagutan ng pisi kanyang pagpunta sa lugar mismo ng digmaan.
a) mawawalan ng kaibigan a) nagpakitang gilas
b) mauubusan ng pera b) nagpakilala ng kapangyarīhan
c) matatanggal sa trabaho c) sumuong sa panganib
d) mawawalan ng koneksyon d) sumuporta

17.Mahirap kumita ng pera kaya nakakainis malaman 20.Marami sa mga OFW na kasambahay ang naging
na may mga ilang tao na bulanggugo. mga alilang-kanin ng lkanilang amo.
a) walang pakialam a) utusang walang suweldo
b) ayaw magtrabaho b) pinahihirapan nang husto
c) tambay nang tambay c) hindi pinapakain
d) gastador d) hindi maayas ang kalagaya

COMMON FILIPINO SAWIKAIN MEANING

bungang-araw prickly heat
buto’t balat very skinny or malnourished
butas ang bulsa broke or no money
nagpanting ang tenga irritated, upset, or angry
kabiyak ng dibdib partner or spouse
makati ang dila being talkative
haligi ng tahanan father
ilaw ng tahanan mother
may magandang hinaharap someone who has a bright future ahead
mahina ang loob coward
halang ang bituka a person has no moral compunction
matalas ang ulo someone is intelligent or smart
balat sibuyas being sensitive
balat kalabaw someone is being insensitive or shameless
isang kahig isang tuka poor status in life
magsunog ng kilay to study very hard
tulog mantika very deep sleep
matamis ang dila a sweet talker
gintong kutsara someone who is born wealthy
panakip butas someone who is in a rebound relationship
pagputi ng uwak being impossible or something that will never happen
balitang-kutsero fake news
nagbabatak ng buto working too hard
kumukulo ang dugo anger or annoyance
malawak ang isip open-mindedness

THIS PRACTICE TEST IS NOT FOR SALE AND SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM
Page 5 of 6
 EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (REVIEW SESSIONS)
IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS (Idioms) / KAWIKAAN SA FILIPINO (Sawikain)
COMMON FILIPINO SAWIKAIN MEANING
isulat sa tubig to forget
malakas ang loob bravery
bukal sa loob sincerity
matigas ang katawan laziness
nakahiga sa salapi/pera being rich or wealthy
nagbibilang ng poste being jobless
nagmumurang kamatis someone who is not acting his or her age
ningas-kugon short-lived
samaing-palad unlucky person
takipsilim twilight
utang na loob debt of gratitude or to have mercy
mahangin ang ulo arrogance

ANSWER KEY
Idiomatic Expressions:
1. C. To be honest
2. C. It is to be expected
3. A. Agreed to do business with
4. A. Began to talk seriously
5. B. Requested
6. A. Helped her see
7. D. Walked carefully and quietly
8. A. Irritates everybody
9. D. Chooses for teasing or punishment
10. B. Has been in a bad mood since he got up
11. A. Have been successful
12. A. It’s raining very heavily
13. A. Something very expensive and useless
14. D. Make a bold decision
15. D. Very short sighted
16. B. Rested
17. C. Became very angry
18. C. The one with a bad reputation
19. D. The largest part
20. B. Become very involved in
21. A. Do something the prescribed way
22. A. Doesn’t make sense
23. C. Eat a lot
24. A. Not something one enjoys very much
25. D. Chooses for teasing or punishment
ANSWER KEY
Kawikaan sa Filipino:
1. B. kaligayahang walang kahambing
2. A. hindi tunay na kamag-anak
3. B. taong hindi kayang tumayong mag-isa
4. C. nakakainit ng ulo
5. C. matanda o mahina na
6. B. bihis na bihis
7. C. may bulutong
8. B. mapagsagot sa usapang hindi siya kasali
9. C. sa sobrang tingin ay mahinhin ngunit
ang totoo'y magaslaw
10. C. kulang-kulang o luko-luko
11. A. engrande
12. D. gumawa ng hindi kaya
13. A. Walang silbi
14. B. pinuri gamit ang mabubuting salita
15. C. hindi marunong ng Isang uri ng Gawain
16. B. mauubusan ng pera
17. D. gastador
18. B. napakalikot
19. C. sumuong sa panganib
20. A. utusang walang suweldo

THIS PRACTICE TEST IS NOT FOR SALE AND SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM
Page 6 of 6