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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Fit the bill

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

Be suitable for a particular need or purpose.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. We need a quiet café with reliable Wi-Fi, and this one fits the bill.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

Be suitable for a particular need or purpose.
Show the answer

Fit the bill — Be suitable for a particular need or purpose.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Fit the bill” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

Be suitable for a particular need or purpose.

Compare: We need a quiet café with reliable Wi-Fi, and this one fits the bill.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this conversational expression when choosing a person, object or option that meets your requirements. It is useful for everyday decisions and work discussions.

More examples in context

  • A short online course would fit the bill for my schedule.
  • None of the shortlisted venues quite fitted the bill.

Usage note

Keep “the bill”, even when discussing something with no price involved. “Fit” and “fitted” are both used as past forms of the verb.

A short conversation

A: Did you find a bag for the trip?
B: Yes, this small waterproof one fits the bill.
A: It should be easy to carry too.

One more practice question

A room fits the bill for your workshop. What does that mean?

A. It meets the workshop’s needs.
B. It is unsuitable for the workshop.

Check your answer

A. Something that fits the bill is appropriate for the purpose.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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