English Idioms as Emoji Puzzles
This is a free classroom resource built around the part of English that textbooks cover least and conversation uses most: idioms. Each puzzle hides one everyday idiom behind an emoji substitution cipher, and every answer is written into the page with its meaning in plain English.
It works as a warmer, a filler, or a five-minute closer. Nothing needs to be printed, nothing needs an account, and because the answers are already on the page you can hand a class a link and let them check themselves.
How it works in a lesson
One idiom per puzzle
Every emoji stands for a letter, consistently, all the way through. Students decode the phrase rather than guessing at pictures, so the activity is spelling and vocabulary at the same time.
The meaning is the clue
Each puzzle carries a hint that gives the idiom’s meaning in plain language. Students who know the idiom can work backwards from the meaning; students who do not learn it as they solve.
Answers are already on the page
The solution sits in a collapsed panel under each puzzle. That makes the set usable for self-study and homework, not only for supervised class time.
Idioms in the set
A sample of what the puzzles teach. The full pack runs to eighty-five English idioms.
Beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid saying what you really mean
Piece of cake
Meaning: Something very easy to do
Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation in an awkward situation
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: Very rarely
Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To be exactly right about something
Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To reveal a secret by accident
For teachers
Is it really free?
Yes. There is no account, no paywall and no limit on how many puzzles a class works through. You can share the link directly with students.
What level is it for?
Idioms suit B1 and above. Lower levels can still do the decoding as a spelling exercise, since the cipher work does not depend on knowing the phrase.
Can I use it in my own materials?
The puzzles are free to use in class and to link to from a lesson plan or worksheet. A link back is appreciated but not required.
Start with the idioms pack
Eighty-five English idioms as emoji cryptograms, each with its meaning and its answer on the page.
Open the English idioms puzzles