33 Idioms About Spiders

Some people get the chills just thinking about spiders. Others are amazed by how they build those perfect, delicate webs. In American life, spiders aren’t just creatures hiding in the corner; they’ve crawled into how we talk and think. From bedtime stories to action movies, you’ll hear spider idioms pop up in all sorts of conversations. Whether it’s a kid feeling “caught in a web of lies” or someone “spinning a story” at work, these phrases help describe tricky moments in clever, colorful ways.

Picture a garage sale where someone weaves a wild tale to sell an old bike, or a student who feels “like a fly in a spider’s web” during a pop quiz. Idioms like these stick around because they capture how we feel nervous, patient, clever, or trapped. That’s part of why they’re used so often in the USA. These sayings help people explain life’s sticky situations in a way that’s fun and easy to picture.

Idioms About Spiders

1. Caught in a web of lies

Meaning: This describes someone who gets trapped by their own lies. It’s like telling one lie, then another to cover it up, and getting stuck in a situation you can’t escape.

Example Sentences:

  • Tim got caught in a web of lies when he tried to cover up what happened at the party.
  • The politician was caught in a web of lies during the interview.
  • “You’ve told so many different stories,” Mom said, “you’re caught in a web of lies.”
  • The news report showed how the company was caught in a web of lies about its finances.

Other ways to say: Trapped in a lie, tangled in dishonesty

Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from how spiders spin sticky webs to trap insects. The more an insect struggles, the more stuck it gets—just like someone who lies over and over.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Common in both American and British English, often used in news, school, and casual speech. It fits formal writing too, especially in stories about scandals or drama.

2. Spinning a web

Meaning: This idiom means someone is creating a complicated situation, often with lies or tricky plans. It describes building something messy that can trap people—just like a spider does.

Example Sentences:

  • Jane was spinning a web of excuses to avoid doing her homework.
  • Don’t spin a web of problems just because you’re scared to tell the truth.
  • “He’s always spinning a web instead of being honest,” said the coach.
  • The novel’s main character is spinning a web of secrets around her double life.

Other ways to say: Making things complicated, building a mess

Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from how spiders create detailed, sticky webs. The more threads they spin, the more tangled it becomes—just like someone who keeps adding lies or drama.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Common in American English, especially in stories, news, or warnings about being honest. It’s informal but clear, and easy for both kids and adults to understand.

3. A spider in the corner

Meaning: This idiom describes someone who is quiet and just watching, not speaking or joining in. It’s like being there but not part of what’s going on.

Example Sentences:

  • Sarah was like a spider in the corner, watching everyone but not saying a word.
  • During the meeting, he acted like a spider in the corner, just listening without giving any input.
  • “She didn’t say much,” said Ella, “just sat there like a spider in the corner.”
  • He stayed quiet at the family dinner, a spider in the corner with his thoughts.

Other ways to say: A silent observer, on the sidelines

Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from how spiders are often seen sitting quietly in corners, still and unnoticed, but always watching for movement.

Usage/Cultural Notes: More common in American conversation and storytelling than formal writing. It’s informal and often used in a quiet or slightly eerie tone.

4. Like a fly in a spider’s web

Meaning: This phrase describes being trapped in a tough situation, unable to move or get out. It’s often used when someone is stuck and can’t find a way forward.

Example Sentences:

  • I felt like a fly in a spider’s web when I was stuck in the traffic jam for hours.
  • The kid was like a fly in a spider’s web, unable to get away from the strict teacher.
  • “She’s stuck in that job like a fly in a spider’s web,” her friend said.
  • The movie’s hero was like a fly in a spider’s web, trapped by the villain’s plan.

Other ways to say: Stuck in a trap, caught in a bad situation

Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from nature. Once a fly lands in a spider’s web, it can’t escape. It’s the same feeling when someone gets pulled into something they didn’t expect.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Common in American English and used in both serious and light conversations. It’s often used when someone feels helpless or overwhelmed.

5. The spider’s web of deceit

Meaning: This idiom means a group of lies or tricks that’s hard to untangle. It shows how one lie leads to another until everything is confusing.

Example Sentences:

  • He had built a spider’s web of deceit around his business deals.
  • Her lies created a spider’s web of deceit that no one could untangle.
  • “This story doesn’t add up,” the teacher said. “It’s a spider’s web of deceit.”
  • In the movie, the villain used a spider’s web of deceit to fool everyone.

Other ways to say: A web of lies, a tangled mess of falsehoods

Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase takes the spider’s web—something sticky and hard to escape—and uses it as a symbol for dishonesty and trickery.

Usage/Cultural Notes: This idiom appears in both American and British English, especially in news or legal discussions. It’s a formal phrase, often used when talking about serious dishonesty.

6. Dance like a spider

Meaning: This means to move quickly and lightly, often to avoid getting caught or noticed. It can also describe someone being agile or graceful in tight spaces.

Example Sentences:

  • She danced like a spider across the stage, moving with quick, graceful steps.
  • When he saw the principal, he danced like a spider to avoid being noticed.
  • “Watch her dodge those puddles,” said Dad. “She’s dancing like a spider.”
  • The cat danced like a spider around the spilled cereal to stay clean.

Other ways to say: Move quickly, dodge around

Fun Fact/Origin: Spiders are fast movers. When startled or hunting, they shift directions in quick, sharp bursts. That movement inspired the phrase.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Mostly informal and used in storytelling or playful descriptions. Common in American English and sometimes used in sports or performance settings.

7. Spider sense

Meaning: A strong instinct that warns you something bad might happen. It’s like an inner alert that something just feels off, even if there’s no clear reason.

Example Sentences:

  • My spider sense told me something was wrong when I heard strange noises outside.
  • She had a strong spider sense and knew she should leave the area before it started raining.
  • “I don’t know why,” said Jake, “but my spider sense is going off.”
  • His spider sense made him double-check the locks before bed.

Other ways to say: A gut feeling, sixth sense

Fun Fact/Origin: The term comes from Spider-Man comics, where the hero has a “spidey-sense” that alerts him to danger. It’s now part of pop culture.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Widely used in American English, especially among younger people or fans of comic books. It’s casual, fun, and often said with a playful tone.

8. Fly into a spider’s web

Meaning: This idiom means walking into trouble without knowing it. It often describes situations where someone is tricked or doesn’t realize the danger they’re in.

Example Sentences:

  • We flew into a spider’s web by agreeing to that deal without reading the fine print.
  • He didn’t know it, but he was about to fly into a spider’s web of trouble.
  • “Be careful,” said Mom, “that job offer could be a spider’s web.”
  • They flew into a spider’s web of debt with all those credit cards.

Other ways to say: Walk into a trap, fall into a snare

Fun Fact/Origin: Spiders catch flies by spinning nearly invisible webs. The fly doesn’t see the danger until it’s too late—just like in this idiom.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Popular in both American and British English. Often used in news stories or cautionary tales. It fits both formal and casual use.

9. A tangled web

Meaning: A messy or confusing situation with too many parts. It usually involves secrets, misunderstandings, or problems that are all mixed together.

Example Sentences:

  • Their relationship was a tangled web of misunderstandings and arguments.
  • She got caught in a tangled web of paperwork at the office.
  • “This project is turning into a tangled web,” the teacher said.
  • The movie shows a tangled web of lies and lost trust.

Other ways to say: A complicated situation, a mess

Fun Fact/Origin: Spider webs are known for being complex and hard to follow. This image is used to show how life can feel the same way.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used in American, British, and Australian English. It’s common in books, movies, and formal writing, especially when describing emotional or legal problems.

10. Web of connections

Meaning: This describes a person who knows lots of people in different places. It’s about having a network that helps get things done, find support, or share information.

Example Sentences:

  • The lawyer had a web of connections that helped her win the case.
  • He built a web of connections with people across the country.
  • “If you need help,” said the coach, “talk to Dan—he’s got a web of connections.”
  • Her web of connections helped land her a job fast.

Other ways to say: A network of friends, a series of links

Fun Fact/Origin: A spider’s web links many threads together. That image became a way to talk about how people are linked through friendships or business.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used in American and British English, especially in business or politics. It sounds more formal and is common in job interviews or news stories.

11. Web of lies

Meaning: A group of lies told to cover up the truth. The more someone lies, the harder it becomes to keep the story straight—just like getting stuck in a web.

Example Sentences:

  • She built a web of lies to cover up her mistakes.
  • The detective quickly uncovered the web of lies that the suspect had created.
  • “You’re stuck in a web of lies,” said the teacher.
  • That book tells the story of a man trapped in his own web of lies.

Other ways to say: A network of falsehoods, a tangled mess of lies

Fun Fact/Origin: Just like a spider’s web traps whatever touches it, lies can trap the person who tells them. This image is hundreds of years old in literature.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Common across English-speaking regions. Often used in formal writing, especially in journalism, crime stories, or legal settings.

12. Spider’s patience

Meaning: This phrase means staying calm and waiting for the right time without rushing. It shows quiet, steady patience even when things take a long time.

Example Sentences:

  • He showed a spider’s patience as he waited for the perfect opportunity to ask for help.
  • The fisherman had the spider’s patience, waiting all day for a big catch.
  • “You’ve got spider’s patience,” said Grandma, watching him build the model.
  • She waited with the spider’s patience while everyone else rushed.

Other ways to say: Patience of a saint, waiting quietly

Fun Fact/Origin: Spiders often stay still in their webs for hours, waiting for just the right moment to strike. That’s where this saying comes from.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used in both American and British English. It’s informal and often used to praise someone’s calm attitude or self-control.

13. Crawl like a spider

Meaning: This means to move slowly and carefully, usually to avoid being seen or making noise. It’s often used when someone is sneaking around or trying not to disturb anything.

Example Sentences:

  • He crawled like a spider to avoid waking up his parents.
  • The cat crawled like a spider through the tall grass, trying not to scare the birds.
  • “Crawl like a spider if you don’t want the dog to see you,” said Max.
  • The kids crawled like spiders across the living room during hide and seek.

Other ways to say: Move carefully, sneak around

Fun Fact/Origin: Spiders often move slowly and with great care, especially when stalking prey or staying hidden from danger.

Usage/Cultural Notes: This phrase is more common in casual American English. It’s often used by kids, parents, or in storytelling to describe sneaky or quiet movement.

14. In the spider’s grasp

Meaning: This idiom describes someone being completely under another person’s control or influence. It can also mean being stuck in a situation with no easy way out.

Example Sentences:

  • Once he agreed to that deal, he was in the spider’s grasp and couldn’t get out.
  • She felt like she was in the spider’s grasp after the argument.
  • “I’m stuck,” he said, “right in the spider’s grasp.”
  • The character in the story was caught in the spider’s grasp of fear and control.

Other ways to say: Under someone’s control, trapped

Fun Fact/Origin: When a spider catches prey, it holds it tightly in its web. That image became a way to talk about being caught or controlled.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used in both American and British English, especially in stories, news, or dramatic situations. It has a serious tone and often sounds a bit dark.

15. Spider’s web of deceit

Meaning: A situation full of lies that are layered or connected. It becomes hard to find the truth because each lie is tied to another.

Example Sentences:

  • The journalist uncovered the spider’s web of deceit surrounding the company’s actions.
  • Her spider’s web of deceit made it difficult for anyone to believe her.
  • “This is a spider’s web of deceit,” the lawyer said during the trial.
  • The story spun a spider’s web of deceit that fooled everyone.

Other ways to say: A tangled web of lies, a chain of falsehoods

Fun Fact/Origin: A spider’s web is built in layers and is easy to get stuck in—just like lies that build on each other. The more you try to pull away, the worse it gets.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used in formal and informal English. It appears often in journalism, true crime, and courtroom settings in the USA and UK. It carries a serious, dramatic tone.

16. Like a spider on the wall

Meaning: This describes someone quietly watching from the side, not speaking or joining in. They’re present but unnoticed, just taking everything in.

Example Sentences:

  • He sat there like a spider on the wall, watching the meeting without saying a word.
  • She felt like a spider on the wall during the family gathering, just watching everyone talk.
  • “You were like a spider on the wall,” said her friend. “I didn’t even see you.”
  • The reporter stayed like a spider on the wall during the town meeting.

Other ways to say: A quiet observer, sitting in the background

Fun Fact/Origin: Spiders often rest quietly on walls, blending in and going unnoticed until they move. That image led to this saying.

Usage/Cultural Notes: This idiom is used in American English more often than British. It’s informal and often used in a friendly or curious way, not as a judgment.

17. Spin a story

Meaning: This means to tell a story in a creative or exaggerated way. The person might stretch the truth or add drama to make the story more exciting.

Example Sentences:

  • He loves to spin a story about how he met a famous actor last summer.
  • She spun a story about how she survived the storm with nothing but a flashlight.
  • “Every time he talks about the fishing trip, he spins a story,” said Dad.
  • The student spun a story to explain why the homework was late.

Other ways to say: Tell a tale, make up a story

Fun Fact/Origin: The idiom comes from how spiders spin webs—carefully and skillfully. Just like that, a storyteller weaves words together to capture attention.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Popular in American English and often used in casual settings. It can be playful or critical, depending on the tone.

18. In the web of the world

Meaning: This describes being overwhelmed by life’s responsibilities, choices, or problems. It paints a picture of being stuck in something big and hard to manage.

Example Sentences:

  • He’s tangled in the web of the world, trying to balance school, work, and family.
  • Life can feel like being in the web of the world, with so many responsibilities.
  • “I’m just caught in the web of the world,” she said, looking tired.
  • They felt lost in the web of the world after moving to a new city.

Other ways to say: Caught in life’s challenges, trapped in the complexities of life

Fun Fact/Origin: Like a spider’s web stretching in many directions, life can pull people in different ways, making it hard to keep up.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used more in American writing or poetry. It’s slightly poetic or reflective, and not often used in everyday speech.

19. Tangled in the spider’s threads

Meaning: This idiom describes being caught up in small problems or details that add up and make life harder. It’s about feeling stuck in little complications that tie you down.

Example Sentences:

  • She was tangled in the spider’s threads of deadlines and emails at work.
  • He got tangled in the spider’s threads when small chores piled up into a big mess.
  • “I’m tangled in the spider’s threads of schoolwork,” said the student.
  • They felt tangled in the spider’s threads of planning the wedding.

Other ways to say: Caught up in details, tied down by problems

Fun Fact/Origin: A spider’s web has many fine threads that are easy to overlook until you’re caught in them. This image reflects how little things can build up into bigger traps.

Usage/Cultural Notes: More common in American English, especially in casual or creative writing. It’s often used to describe everyday struggles rather than formal issues.

20. Spin your wheels

Meaning: This phrase means putting in effort but getting nowhere. It’s used when someone keeps trying but isn’t making progress.

Example Sentences:

  • We spent all afternoon spinning our wheels trying to figure out the problem.
  • He was just spinning his wheels with the project, getting nowhere.
  • “Stop spinning your wheels,” said the coach, “and focus on the goal.”
  • She spun her wheels for hours before asking for help with the math.

Other ways to say: Get stuck, go in circles

Fun Fact/Origin: While it connects with spiders spinning webs, this idiom likely also draws from car tires spinning in place when stuck in mud or snow.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Very common in American English. Used in schools, work, and everyday conversation to describe frustration with slow progress.

21. In the spider’s web

Meaning: This idiom describes being caught in a difficult or tricky situation, often one that’s hard to get out of.

Example Sentences:

  • He was stuck in the spider’s web of paperwork and couldn’t get out.
  • She realized she was in the spider’s web after agreeing to the bad deal.
  • “You’re in the spider’s web now,” said the lawyer, “and it won’t be easy to escape.”
  • The team found itself in the spider’s web of office politics.

Other ways to say: Trapped in a situation, caught in a bind

Fun Fact/Origin: Like a real spider web that catches insects, this phrase paints a picture of someone being stuck in a complex problem.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used in American and British English, often in writing or dramatic conversation. It gives a strong image of being caught or stuck.

22. Spider’s touch

Meaning: This means having a very gentle, light, or careful way of handling something. It’s about being delicate and precise.

Example Sentences:

  • She handled the fragile vase with a spider’s touch, making sure it didn’t break.
  • His spider’s touch with the paintbrush created a beautiful painting.
  • “You need a spider’s touch for that frosting,” the baker said.
  • The nurse used a spider’s touch to remove the splinter.

Other ways to say: A delicate touch, light-handed

Fun Fact/Origin: Spiders are careful and detailed when spinning their webs. Their movements are soft and precise, which inspired this phrase.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Found mostly in American English. Common in writing, art, or conversations where care and skill are important.

23. Web of intrigue

Meaning: A situation full of mystery, secrets, or complicated events. It often describes something exciting or suspicious.

Example Sentences:

  • The detective uncovered a web of intrigue involving the missing money.
  • There was a web of intrigue at the office when people started gossiping about the promotion.
  • “It’s a web of intrigue,” said the reporter, “and no one knows who’s behind it.”
  • The book pulls readers into a web of intrigue from the very first chapter.

Other ways to say: A mystery, a tangled situation

Fun Fact/Origin: Just like a spider spins complex webs, stories or events with many layers of secrets can become tangled and hard to follow.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Common in American English and often used in crime shows, novels, and journalism. It adds drama or suspense to a situation.

24. A fly caught in the web

Meaning: This idiom means being stuck in a tricky situation with no clear way out. It often describes someone who realizes too late that they’re trapped.

Example Sentences:

  • He felt like a fly caught in the web when he realized he had lost his keys and was locked out.
  • She was a fly caught in the web of rules and couldn’t find a way to break them.
  • “I forgot the deadline and now I’m a fly caught in the web,” he said.
  • They were like flies caught in the web after signing the bad contract.

Other ways to say: Trapped in a situation, stuck in a problem

Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the image of a fly being trapped in a spider’s web, unable to escape no matter how much it struggles.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Common in American English, especially in storytelling or casual speech. It’s used when someone feels helpless or surprised by a situation.

25. Spider’s web of choices

Meaning: This phrase describes a situation with many options, but none are easy or simple. Every choice seems to lead to another challenge.

Example Sentences:

  • Choosing between the two jobs felt like being in a spider’s web of choices.
  • The decision to move was a spider’s web of choices with no clear answer.
  • “This college list is a spider’s web of choices,” she said.
  • He faced a spider’s web of choices after getting the scholarship.

Other ways to say: A complicated decision, a difficult choice

Fun Fact/Origin: Just like a spider’s web has many threads going in different directions, this idiom shows how hard it can be to choose the right path.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Mostly used in American English. It appears in conversations about big life decisions, especially when all the options feel tangled.

26. Threading the needle like a spider

Meaning: To do something very carefully and with great detail. It’s often used when the task is hard and needs steady hands or focused effort.

Example Sentences:

  • She threaded the needle like a spider, carefully and skillfully.
  • He threaded the needle like a spider, making sure the stitch was perfect.
  • “You’ll need to thread the needle like a spider to fix that,” the tailor said.
  • The artist threaded the needle like a spider with every stroke of the brush.

Other ways to say: Work with precision, do something carefully

Fun Fact/Origin: Spiders are masters of fine detail, weaving webs with tiny, delicate threads—just like threading a needle.

Usage/Cultural Notes: This idiom is rare but understandable in American English. It’s often used in crafts, art, or tasks that need a steady touch.

27. A spider’s patience

Meaning: This means having calm, quiet patience while waiting for the right time. It’s the kind of patience that doesn’t rush or complain.

Example Sentences:

  • It took a spider’s patience for him to finally finish the puzzle.
  • She watched the cake bake with a spider’s patience, waiting for the perfect time to take it out.
  • “You’ve got a spider’s patience,” said Grandpa as the boy stacked the blocks.
  • He waited with a spider’s patience for the right moment to speak.

Other ways to say: Patience of a saint, a calm wait

Fun Fact/Origin: Spiders can sit for hours in one spot, waiting quietly until just the right moment to catch their prey.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used in American English to describe people with steady, quiet patience. It fits casual, friendly, or poetic settings.

28. Spinning your web

Meaning: This idiom describes someone slowly building something—like a plan, a business, or a group of relationships. It takes time and care.

Example Sentences:

  • He’s been spinning his web for months to start his new business.
  • She was spinning her web of friends, making sure she knew the right people.
  • “You’re spinning your web nicely,” said the mentor.
  • The artist spun her web of ideas into a finished painting.

Other ways to say: Making plans, building something

Fun Fact/Origin: Spiders take their time to spin strong and detailed webs. This image works well for describing someone building something slowly.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used in American English, often to describe someone with long-term goals. It can sound thoughtful or strategic depending on tone.

29. Like a spider in the night

Meaning: To work or move quietly without being noticed. It describes someone doing something in secret or while others are asleep.

Example Sentences:

  • He worked like a spider in the night, finishing the project without anyone noticing.
  • She moved like a spider in the night, fixing things around the house when no one was awake.
  • “You were like a spider in the night,” said Dad, seeing the surprise decorations.
  • The thief crept through the alley like a spider in the night.

Other ways to say: Quietly working, secretly doing something

Fun Fact/Origin: Many spiders are most active at night, spinning webs or moving silently in the dark.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used more in American English. It fits well in stories or quiet, behind-the-scenes moments. It can sound secretive or peaceful, depending on context.

30. Stuck in a spider’s web

Meaning: This describes being caught in a situation that’s hard to escape, often due to mistakes, rules, or pressure.

Example Sentences:

  • He was stuck in a spider’s web of rules and couldn’t find a way out.
  • She felt stuck in a spider’s web after making a mistake she couldn’t fix.
  • “We’re stuck in a spider’s web of deadlines,” the team leader said.
  • The character was stuck in a spider’s web of lies and guilt.

Other ways to say: Trapped, stuck in a difficult situation

Fun Fact/Origin: A spider’s web is meant to trap—once caught, it’s hard to break free. That’s what makes this image so powerful.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Common in American English, especially in school, work, or emotional situations. It shows how hard it can feel to get unstuck.

31. Creep like a spider

Meaning: To move slowly and silently, often to avoid being seen or heard. It’s used when someone is sneaking around or being extra cautious.

Example Sentences:

  • He crept like a spider across the hallway so he wouldn’t wake anyone.
  • The dog crept like a spider toward the snack bag on the counter.
  • “You creep like a spider when you sneak up on people,” said his sister.
  • The cat crept like a spider across the couch before pouncing.

Other ways to say: Sneak quietly, move silently

Fun Fact/Origin: Spiders often move in a slow, careful way when hunting. Their quiet steps make them hard to notice.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Common in casual American English, especially in stories or when describing sneaky behavior. Often used with kids or pets.

32. Trapped like a spider’s prey

Meaning: To feel helpless or caught in a situation with no control, like something bad is about to happen.

Example Sentences:

  • He felt trapped like a spider’s prey during the tough interview.
  • She was trapped like a spider’s prey in the argument with no way out.
  • “I was trapped like a spider’s prey,” he said after getting caught in a lie.
  • The team was trapped like a spider’s prey with no winning move left.

Other ways to say: Stuck with no escape, helpless in a bad spot

Fun Fact/Origin: Once a spider catches its prey, it wraps it up tightly—this image helps people explain how it feels to be powerless.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Used in American English and sometimes in dramatic storytelling or emotional conversations. Often said when someone feels stuck or outmatched.

33. Web of drama

Meaning: A messy situation full of emotional fights, gossip, or trouble. It’s used when people are caught up in drama that keeps getting worse.

Example Sentences:

  • The school dance turned into a web of drama by the end of the night.
  • She didn’t want to get pulled into their web of drama.
  • “It’s just a web of drama,” said the teacher, shaking her head.
  • He escaped the web of drama by ignoring the group texts.

Other ways to say: Messy situation, full of drama

Fun Fact/Origin: Like a spider’s web that traps whatever touches it, drama can pull in more people until it becomes hard to escape.

Usage/Cultural Notes: Common in American teen and young adult conversations. Often used casually, especially in schools or on social media.

Quiz: Idioms About Spiders

Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.

Question Key

1. What does the idiom “spin a story” mean?

 A) To tell a story, often in a creative or exaggerated way.
B) To repair a spider’s web.
C) To get tangled in a difficult situation.

2. If someone says, “He’s caught in a spider’s web,” what do they mean?

 A) He’s stuck in a tough or complicated situation.
B) He is going to help clean up the house.
C) He is waiting for something exciting.

3. What does the idiom “in the web of the world” mean?

 A) To be lost while trying to find something.
B) To be caught up in life’s challenges.
C) To be on a great adventure.

4. If someone is “spinning their wheels,” what does that mean?

 A) They are working hard but not making any progress.
B) They are fixing something that is broken.
C) They are taking a rest after a long day.

5. When someone is described as “like a spider on the wall,” what does that mean?

 A) They are hiding from others.
B) They are an unnoticed observer.
C) They are making a lot of noise.

6. What does “spider’s patience” refer to?

 A) Someone who works quickly without waiting.
B) Someone who can wait calmly and patiently.
C) Someone who likes to get everything done fast.

7. If someone says they are “spinning their web,” what are they doing?

 A) They are telling a lie.
B) They are making plans or setting up something.
C) They are playing a game.

8. What does it mean to be “like a fly caught in the web”?

 A) To be stuck in a situation with no easy way out.
B) To be very busy and productive.
C) To be having fun and feeling free.

9. What is a “web of connections”?

 A) A group of people or things that are connected.
B) A new internet website.
C) A complicated knot that is hard to undo.

10. If someone is said to have a “spider’s touch,” what does that mean?

 A) They work very slowly.
B) They are gentle and careful with their actions.
C) They are really good at fixing things quickly.

Answers Key

  1. A) To tell a story, often in a creative or exaggerated way.
  2. A) He’s stuck in a tough or complicated situation.
  3. B) To be caught up in life’s challenges.
  4. A) They are working hard but not making any progress.
  5. B) They are an unnoticed observer.
  6. B) Someone who can wait calmly and patiently.
  7. B) They are making plans or setting up something.
  8. A) To be stuck in a situation with no easy way out.
  9. A) A group of people or things that are connected.
  10. B) They are gentle and careful with their actions.

Wrapping Up

Spider idioms are more than just fun expressions—they help people in the USA talk about tricky situations, quiet actions, or clever plans in a colorful way. Whether you’re describing someone with spider’s patience or someone stuck in a web of drama, these phrases make everyday talk more vivid and relatable.

Next time you hear a phrase like “caught in a web of lies” or “spinning your wheels,” you’ll know exactly what’s going on. Try using some of these idioms in your own conversations. They’re simple, creative, and a natural part of how Americans speak every day.

👉 Want to understand what idioms really are? Visit our complete guide to idioms. Or see all idiom articles.
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Ben Donovan

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