Latihan Komprehensif Idiom Bahasa Inggris: Contoh Soal Pilihan Ganda, Isian, Esai, dan Menjodohkan

1. He decided to ________ and start his own business.

• a. turn over a new leaf
• b. bite the bullet
• c. take the plunge
• d. spill the beans

Answer: c. take the plunge

Explanation: Take the plunge means to make a decision to do something important or risky, especially after a long period of thinking about it.

2. Don’t ________; just tell me what happened.

• a. beat around the bush
• b. hit the nail on the head
• c. break a leg
• d. jump on the bandwagon

Answer: a. beat around the bush

Explanation: Beat around the bush means to avoid getting to the point.

3. After working all day, I’m completely ________.

• a. feeling under the weather
• b. barking up the wrong tree
• c. beat around the bush
• d. dead tired

Answer: d. dead tired

Explanation: Dead tired means extremely tired.

4. I’m sorry, I can’t come to the party. I have to ________.

• a. pull someone’s leg
• b. hit the road
• c. call it a day
• d. make ends meet

Answer: c. call it a day

Explanation: Call it a day means to stop working on something.

5. His proposal was so strange, it really ________.

• a. caught my eye
• b. caught me off guard
• c. went over my head
• d. took my breath away

Answer: c. went over my head

Explanation: Go over one’s head means to be too difficult or complicated for someone to understand.

6. He was so nervous he started ________ when giving the presentation.

• a. to feel blue
• b. to have cold feet
• c. to break the ice
• d. to get cold feet

Answer: b. to have cold feet

Explanation: To have cold feet means to feel nervous or hesitant about doing something.

7. We need to ________ and find a solution quickly.

• a. spill the beans
• b. get our ducks in a row
• c. get our act together
• d. pull strings

Answer: c. get our act together

Explanation: Get our act together means to organize oneself and one’s affairs effectively.

8. Winning the lottery was a ________ for them.

• a. shot in the dark
• b. blessing in disguise
• c. drop in the bucket
• d. bolt from the blue

Answer: d. bolt from the blue

Explanation: A bolt from the blue means something completely unexpected.

9. She’s always full of energy, even in the morning. She’s a real ________.

• a. early bird
• b. night owl
• c. live wire
• d. busy bee

Answer: c. live wire

Explanation: A live wire describes a very energetic and lively person.

10. I don’t know why he’s so upset; he’s making a ________.

• a. long story short
• b. mountain out of a molehill
• c. big deal
• d. fuss over nothing

Answer: b. mountain out of a molehill

Explanation: Make a mountain out of a molehill means to exaggerate the importance of a small problem.

11. Let’s ________ and try to solve this problem together.

• a. put our heads together
• b. play it by ear
• c. cut corners
• d. burn the midnight oil

Answer: a. put our heads together

Explanation: Put our heads together means to cooperate in order to solve a problem.

12. He finally ________ and confessed his feelings for her.

• a. broke the ice
• b. got it off his chest
• c. bit his tongue
• d. spilled the beans

Answer: b. got it off his chest

Explanation: Get it off one’s chest means to tell someone about something that has been worrying you, typically in order to feel better.

13. The new project is going to ________, but I’m confident we can do it.

• a. cost an arm and a leg
• b. break a leg
• c. bite the bullet
• d. hit the books

Answer: a. cost an arm and a leg

Explanation: Cost an arm and a leg means to be very expensive.

14. She’s always so positive; she looks at the world through ________.

• a. rose-tinted glasses
• b. a dark cloud
• c. clear lenses
• d. foggy windows

Answer: a. rose-tinted glasses

Explanation: Look at the world through rose-tinted glasses means to see things in an overly optimistic or favorable way.

15. I think you’re ________ by trying to fix that old car; it’s beyond repair.

• a. barking up the wrong tree
• b. beating a dead horse
• c. killing two birds with one stone
• d. hitting the nail on the head

Answer: b. beating a dead horse

Explanation: Beat a dead horse means to waste effort on something that is no longer possible or relevant.

16. The exam was really difficult; I barely ________.

• a. passed with flying colors
• b. scraped through
• c. cut corners
• d. pulled strings

Answer: b. scraped through

Explanation: Scraped through means to succeed in doing something but with difficulty.

17. He always has a good excuse, but I’m starting to think he’s just ________.

• a. making waves
• b. pulling my leg
• c. crying wolf
• d. full of hot air

Answer: d. full of hot air

Explanation: Full of hot air describes someone who talks a lot but says nothing of any substance.

18. It’s time to ________ and move on from this failure.

• a. bite the bullet
• b. cut to the chase
• c. turn over a new leaf
• d. call it a day

Answer: c. turn over a new leaf

Explanation: Turn over a new leaf means to change one’s behavior for the better.

19. I can’t believe she ________ about the surprise party!

• a. let the cat out of the bag
• b. broke a leg
• c. hit the books
• d. bit her tongue

Answer: a. let the cat out of the bag

Explanation: Let the cat out of the bag means to accidentally reveal a secret.

20. Don’t just sit there! ________ and help me with this!

• a. Lend a hand
• b. Keep an eye on it
• c. Get a grip
• d. Break a leg

Answer: a. Lend a hand

Explanation: Lend a hand means to help someone.

1. Explain the idiom ‘to kill two birds with one stone’ and provide an example sentence.

Answer: ‘To kill two birds with one stone’ means to achieve two aims at once. Example: ‘By studying for both exams at the same time, she killed two birds with one stone.’

Explanation: This idiom emphasizes efficiency and multitasking, achieving dual objectives with a single action.

2. What does it mean if someone tells you to ‘break a leg’ before a performance?

Answer: It means to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance or presentation.

Explanation: This is a common theatrical superstition, where wishing ‘bad luck’ (like breaking a leg) is believed to bring good luck.

3. Use the idiom ‘to feel under the weather’ in a sentence.

Answer: I can’t come to work today; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.

Explanation: To feel under the weather means to feel slightly ill or unwell.

4. What is the meaning of ‘to hit the nail on the head’?

Answer: It means to describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem; to say or do something that is precisely correct.

Explanation: This idiom signifies accuracy and precision in identifying a core issue or expressing a truth.

5. If someone ‘spills the beans’, what have they done?

Answer: They have revealed a secret or disclosed confidential information, often accidentally.

Explanation: ‘Spill the beans’ is an informal way to describe divulging a secret, similar to ‘letting the cat out of the bag.’

1. Discuss the importance of understanding idioms for non-native English speakers. Provide at least three examples of how misinterpreting an idiom could lead to misunderstanding in a conversation.

Answer: Understanding idioms is crucial for non-native English speakers for several reasons. Firstly, idioms are an integral part of everyday English, frequently used by native speakers in both casual and formal contexts. Without grasping their non-literal meanings, conversations can become confusing or even nonsensical. Secondly, idioms reflect cultural nuances and historical contexts, and understanding them helps in deeper cultural immersion. Thirdly, proficient use of idioms can make a speaker sound more natural and fluent, enhancing communication effectiveness and confidence.Misinterpreting idioms can lead to significant misunderstandings: 1. ‘Break a leg’: If a non-native speaker hears this before a performance and takes it literally, they might think someone is wishing them harm, instead of good luck. This could cause offense or anxiety. 2. ‘It’s raining cats and dogs’: Taken literally, this idiom would suggest animals are falling from the sky, which is absurd. A non-native speaker might struggle to understand the actual meaning of ‘it’s raining very heavily,’ leading to confusion about the weather description. 3. ‘Bite the bullet’: If someone is told to ‘bite the bullet’ during a difficult situation, and they interpret it literally, they might be bewildered. The actual meaning is to endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage, which is far from the literal act of biting a bullet. These examples highlight how essential it is for language learners to dedicate time to learning and practicing idioms to avoid communication breakdowns and achieve a more natural command of English.

Explanation: This question assesses the student’s ability to articulate the strategic importance of idioms in language learning and provide concrete examples of potential misinterpretations.

2. Choose three idioms related to time and explain their meanings. Then, compose a short paragraph (5-7 sentences) using all three idioms correctly in context.

Answer: Three idioms related to time are: 1. ‘Better late than never’: It’s better to do something late than not at all. 2. ‘Time flies when you’re having fun’: Time seems to pass more quickly when you are enjoying yourself. 3. ‘In the nick of time’: At the last possible moment.Paragraph: ‘I was worried I wouldn’t finish my project before the deadline. I worked tirelessly through the night, and finally submitted it just in the nick of time. My professor always says, ‘better late than never,’ so I’m hoping for the best. Despite the stress, the process of creating it was so engaging that time flies when you’re having fun, even when you’re facing a tight deadline.’

Explanation: This question tests the student’s comprehension of specific idioms and their practical application in written communication, demonstrating contextual understanding.

3. Explain how idioms enrich the English language and contribute to its expressiveness. Provide examples of idioms that convey emotions or feelings more vividly than direct language.

Answer: Idioms significantly enrich the English language by adding layers of meaning, color, and vividness that direct, literal language often lacks. They allow speakers to convey complex ideas, emotions, and situations concisely and evocatively. Instead of simply stating facts, idioms paint pictures and create associations that resonate with cultural understanding. They make language more expressive, engaging, and often humorous, reflecting the creativity and shared experiences of a community.Examples of idioms that convey emotions or feelings more vividly: 1. ‘To feel blue’: Instead of just saying ‘I feel sad,’ ‘I feel blue’ captures a specific kind of low-spirited, melancholy sadness, often without an explicit cause, much more poetically. 2. ‘To be on cloud nine’: This idiom expresses extreme happiness or elation much more vividly than ‘I am very happy.’ It evokes a sense of floating and utter joy. 3. ‘To have cold feet’: Rather than saying ‘I am nervous about getting married,’ ‘I have cold feet’ describes a specific type of nervousness, often associated with a major commitment or decision, implying hesitation and a desire to back out. These idioms do more than just translate emotions; they amplify them, making communication richer and more nuanced.

Explanation: This question requires the student to reflect on the linguistic function of idioms, analyzing how they enhance expressiveness and providing examples that illustrate this point.

4. Describe a situation where using the idiom ‘to let the cat out of the bag’ would be appropriate. What would be the consequence of this action in your described scenario?

Answer: An appropriate situation for using the idiom ‘to let the cat out of the bag’ would be when a group of friends is planning a surprise birthday party for another friend. One friend, Sarah, accidentally mentions the party details to the birthday person, John, thinking he already knew. In this scenario, Sarah has ‘let the cat out of the bag.’The consequence of this action would be that the surprise element of the birthday party is ruined. John would no longer be surprised when the party takes place, diminishing the excitement and impact of the planned event for him. The other friends might also be disappointed or annoyed with Sarah for accidentally revealing the secret, as all their planning for a big surprise would have gone to waste.

Explanation: This question tests the student’s ability to apply an idiom correctly in a narrative context and understand the practical implications of its meaning.

5. Compare and contrast the idioms ‘to pull someone’s leg’ and ‘to cry wolf.’ How are they similar in involving deception, and how do they differ in their intent and consequences?

Answer: Both ‘to pull someone’s leg’ and ‘to cry wolf’ involve an element of deception, but they differ significantly in their intent and potential consequences. ‘To pull someone’s leg’ means to tease someone by telling them something that is not true, usually in a playful and harmless way. The intent is typically to amuse or joke with someone, with no malicious intent. The consequence is usually laughter or lighthearted embarrassment, and the ‘deception’ is quickly revealed or understood as a joke. For example, telling a friend, ‘You won the lottery!’ and then immediately saying, ‘Just pulling your leg!’ ‘To cry wolf’ means to warn of danger when there is none, repeatedly, to the point where people stop believing genuine warnings. The intent is often to gain attention, avoid responsibility, or manipulate a situation, rather than to be playful. The consequences are much more serious: when actual danger arises, the person who ‘cried wolf’ will not be believed, potentially leading to harm or disaster for themselves or others. This idiom highlights a loss of credibility. For example, a child repeatedly complaining of a stomach ache to avoid school, then genuinely falling ill but not being taken seriously. In summary, while both involve presenting something untrue, ‘pulling someone’s leg’ is a benign, temporary, and often humorous deception with minor consequences, whereas ‘crying wolf’ is a more serious, repeated act that erodes trust and can have significant, negative repercussions.

Explanation: This question requires a comparative analysis of two idioms, focusing on their nuances, underlying intentions, and the distinct outcomes of their use.

1. Match the idioms on the left with their correct meanings on the right.

Answer: Under the weather matches To feel slightly ill. Break a leg matches Good luck! Spill the beans matches To reveal a secret. Hit the books matches To study hard.

Explanation: This tests direct knowledge of common idiom meanings.

2. Match the idioms on the left with their appropriate situations on the right.

Answer: Cost an arm and a leg matches Describing something very expensive. Get cold feet matches Feeling nervous about a big decision. Bite the bullet matches Facing a difficult situation with courage. Beat around the bush matches Avoiding the main topic.

Explanation: This tests the ability to apply idioms to specific contexts.