English Idioms from Shakespeare. Gap Fill
This gap fill exercise is about idioms from the works of William Shakespeare. It is part of a series of exercises about English idioms and is part of our Free C1 English course.
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, he wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long narrative poems, many of which remain influential today. His works span tragedy, comedy, and history, with famous plays such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Othello, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Beyond his storytelling, Shakespeare significantly shaped the English language. Many of the words and phrases he coined are still used in modern conversations. Among his many linguistic contributions, idioms—expressions whose meanings are not literal but understood through common usage—have stood the test of time.
What Are Idioms?
Idioms are figurative phrases that convey meanings different from their individual words. For example, when someone says “Break the ice,” they do not mean physically breaking ice but rather starting a conversation in an awkward or new situation.
Shakespeare used idioms creatively in his plays, making them memorable and widely adopted. Take, for instance, “In a pickle”, which originates from The Tempest (Act 5, Scene 1), where Alonso asks Trinculo, “How camest thou in this pickle?”, meaning “How did you get into this difficult situation?”
Another famous idiom is “All that glitters is not gold,” from The Merchant of Venice (Act 2, Scene 7), where the phrase warns that not everything that looks valuable truly is. This wisdom still applies today, cautioning us to look beyond appearances.
Why Learn Shakespearean Idioms?
Understanding Shakespearean idioms will:
- Improve your English vocabulary and fluency
- Help you understand literature, movies, and conversations
- Make your spoken and written English more expressive
Now, let’s explore 20 Shakespearean idioms that are still commonly used today. Each idiom includes its meaning, an example, and the play it comes from. At the end, test your knowledge with a gap-fill exercise!
Break the ice
This idiom means to start a conversation in a social situation.
Example: At the party, Tom told a joke to break the ice and make everyone feel comfortable.
- Play: The Taming of the Shrew (Act 1, Scene 2)
Wild-goose chase
This idiom means a difficult or impossible search.
Example: Looking for my lost keys in the park was a wild-goose chase.
- Play: Romeo and Juliet (Act 2, Scene 4)
Love is blind
This idiom means that love does not see faults or imperfections.
Example: Even though Jake has many bad habits, Anna still loves him. Love is blind.
- Play: The Merchant of Venice (Act 2, Scene 6)
All that glitters is not gold
This idiom means that appearances can be deceiving.
Example: The expensive watch stopped working after a week. All that glitters is not gold.
- Play: The Merchant of Venice (Act 2, Scene 7)
All that glitters is not gold
This idiom means that appearances can be deceiving.
Example: The expensive watch stopped working after a week. All that glitters is not gold.
- Play: The Merchant of Venice (Act 2, Scene 7)
In a pickle
This idiom means to be in a difficult situation.
Example: I forgot my homework at home, so now I’m in a pickle.
- Play: The Tempest (Act 5, Scene 1)
Wear my heart upon my sleeve
This idiom means to show emotions openly.
Example: Maria always tells people when she is happy or sad. She wears her heart upon her sleeve.
- Play: Othello (Act 1, Scene 1)
There’s method in my madness
This idiom means that there is a reason behind strange behavior.
Example: My room looks messy, but I know where everything is. There’s method in my madness.
- Play: Hamlet (Act 2, Scene 2)
A laughing stock
This idiom means a person that others laugh at.
Example: He forgot his speech in front of everyone and became a laughing stock.
- Play: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Act 3, Scene 1)
The world’s my oyster
This idiom means that there are many opportunities in life.
Example: Now that I graduated, the world’s my oyster!
- Play: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Act 2, Scene 2)
Too much of a good thing
This idiom means that even something good can be bad in excess.
Example: Eating chocolate is great, but too much of a good thing can make you sick.
- Play: As You Like It (Act 4, Scene 1)
A laughing stock
This idiom means a person that others laugh at.
Example: He forgot his speech in front of everyone and became a laughing stock.
- Play: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Act 3, Scene 1)
The world’s my oyster
This idiom means that there are many opportunities in life.
Example: Now that I graduated, the world’s my oyster!
- Play: The Merry Wives of Windsor (Act 2, Scene 2)
Too much of a good thing
This idiom means that even something good can be bad in excess.
Example: Eating chocolate is great, but too much of a good thing can make you sick.
- Play: As You Like It (Act 4, Scene 1)
The game is afoot
This idiom means that the action has started.
Example: The detective found a clue. The game is afoot!
- Play: Henry V (Act 3, Scene 1)
It’s Greek to me
This idiom means that something is difficult to understand.
Example: I tried to read the instructions, but it’s Greek to me.
- Play: Julius Caesar (Act 1, Scene 2)
For goodness’ sake
This idiom is an exclamation of surprise or frustration.
Example: For goodness’ sake, turn off the TV and do your homework!
- Play: Henry VIII (Act 3, Scene 1)
Refuse to budge an inch
This idiom means to be stubborn and unwilling to change one’s opinion.
Example: He refused to budge an inch in the argument.
- Play: Measure for Measure (Act 3, Scene 1)
Seen better days
This idiom means something is old or worn out.
Example: My car has seen better days. It breaks down all the time.
- Play: As You Like It (Act 2, Scene 7)
Send him packing
This idiom means to make someone leave quickly.
Example: The boss fired the lazy worker and sent him packing.
- Play: Henry IV, Part 1 (Act 2, Scene 4)
Dead as a doornail
This idiom means something is completely dead or lifeless.
Example: My phone battery is dead as a doornail.
- Play: Henry VI, Part 2 (Act 4, Scene 10)
Now that you have learned these Shakespearean idioms, it’s time to test your understanding!
In the sentences below, fill in ONE word in each gap to complete the idiom correctly. Think carefully about the meaning of each sentence and use the correct word from the idioms you just learned.