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Theme/ Situation Suitable Idiom(s)
ACHIEVEMENT, 1. Howling success (a very great
VICTORY success)
(PENCAPAIAN,
KEJAYAAN) 2. Make a clean sweep of
something (to win every
award or competition)
3. Rise to the occasion
(someone who can deal with a
difficult situation)
ACTIVE, HEALTHY 1. Alive and kicking
(CERGAS, SIHAT) (healthy and active)
2. Live wire (a person with great
energy and initiative)
ADVICE 1. All work and no play makes
(NASIHAT, Jack a dull boy (one should not
PERINGATAN, work without some recreation)
TELADAN)
2. Cut you coat according to
your cloth (adjust your
expenses according to your
resources)
3. Do not wash your dirty linen
in public (do not expose
personal unpleasant things to
the public)
4. It is never too late to mend (it
is never too late to change for
the better)
5. Let bygones be bygones (let
us forgive and forget)
Example(s) in a Sentence
1. Cleanliness Campaign was a howling success
2. Manchester United made a clean sweep in
the English league this year/ Izzudin is
popular because he always makes a clean
sweep in everything he joins.
3. I respect Ming Yeh because he rises to the
occasion even though it his his first time
taking part in debate competition/ Even
though the task was difficult, Zharfan
managed to rise to the occasion and
completed it successfully.
1. Rory’s grandfather is 200 years old but he is
still alive and kicking.
2. We should appoint Mr. Hazif as the leader as
he is a live wire.
1. We should take a break because all work and
no play makes Jack a dull boy.
2. This dress is too expensive for you. You
should cut your coat according to your cloth
3. Kids, please do not wash your dirty linen in
public. You are just making fun of yourself!
4. Even though the trial examination is just
around the corner, you still have time to
study as it is never too late to mend.
5. “We should be nice to each other and let
bygones be bygones”, said Zaidi to Togo
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6. Make hay while the sun shines
(do something at the right
time)
7. Ounce of prevention is worth
pound of cure (it easier and
better to prevent something
bad than dealing with the
results)
8. Strike while the iron is hot
(make use of an opportunity
immediately)
9. Opportunity seldom knocks
twice (a chance for something
should be grabbed once it
comes to you for you may
never get the second change)
ANGER, COLD- 1. Boiling point (the time when
HEATHER, EVIL one becomes very angry)
(KEMARAHAN ATAU
PEMARAH, TIADA 2. Look daggers at someone (to
PERASAAN, JAHAT)
look at someone with fury and
hatred)
3. Fly into rage/temper (to
become very angry suddenly)
4. Hot-headed (easily aroused to
anger)
5. Add insult to injury (to make
matters worse)
ATTRACTIVE, 1. Easy on the eye (attractive,
BEAUTIFUL, CLEAN, beautiful)
TIDY (MENARIK,
CANTIK, BERSIH, 2. Feast for the eyes (something
KEMAS)
satisfying and delightful to
see)
3. Spick and span (neat, clean
and tidy)
6. Opportunity seldom knocks twice, so make
hay while the sun shines!
7. Even though the decision might hurt you, it
is better that hurting yourself in the
future because an ounce of prevention is
worth pound of cure.
8. The enemies are badly injured. We should
strike while the iron is hot!
9. When you get an offer to further your
study, you should accept it with open arms
as this opportunity seldom knocks twice.
1. Mr Hazif came to a boiling point when his
students did not finish their homework.
2. Prasarana looked daggers at Wahidi
after he lost her diary.
3. Togo flew into rage when Zaidi read his
message/ If you don’t want me to fly into
rage, don’t mess with my toys.
4. Girls, if you don’t want to suffer, please
don’t marry someone who is hot-headed/
Everyone hates him because he is a hot-
headed man.
5. The boys had some unsolved issues, so
please don’t add insult to injury by asking
them to work together.
1. Azlin, whose look lie Maya Karin, is easy on
the eye/ The scenery in Langkawi is easy
on the eye.
2. The colourful flowers are feast for the
eyes/ It is really a feast for the eyes when
I see my student doing their work properly.
3. Fahmi’s room is always spick and span/
Make sure your room is spick and span
before you go out.
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6. Make hay while the sun 6. Opportunity seldom knocks twice, so

4.shines
In apple-pie order (inat
(do something 4. Mrmake
Hazif’s
hay room
while isthe
always in apple-pie order/
sun shines!
perfect order)
the right time) The books are in apple-pie order

COMFORT, LUXIRIOUS, 7.
1. Ounce
Bed ofof prevention
roses (a happy is 1. Liyana’s life is always a bed of roses after she
RICH (SELESA, MEWAH, 7. Even though the decision might hurt you, it is
worth pound situation)
comfortable of cure (it is marries the millionaire, Dato’ Satish Sigh
better than hurting yourself in the future
KAYA) easier and better to Abdullah
because an ounce of prevention is worth pound of
prevent something bad
cure
2.than
Havedealing with
touch of the(to
class 2. The Kulim Hotel has a touch of class/ SMK
results)
have a superior quality) Kulim’s hall has a touch of class since its well-
equipped even air-conditioned
8.
3. Strike while(a
Gold mine the iron is
very
hot (make business)
profitable use of an 8. Syafiqah
3. The enemies wants
areto sell shawls
badly injured.because shestrike
We should
opportunity immediately) thinks it is a gold mine/
while the iron is hot! Ghani must have a gold
mine because he can afford to own 3 Ferarri
9. Opportunity seldom cars!
4.knocks twice
In clover (a chance
(living in 9. When you get an offer to further your study, you
for something
comfort should be
and luxury)
4. Syazana lives initclover
should accept as she
with open is the
arms as Prime
this
grabbed once it comes to Minister’s
opportunitydaughter
seldom knocks twice
5.you may
In the never
lap get the
of luxury (in
5. After marrying the business tycoon, Fatini lived
second chance)
very luxurious conditions)
in the lap of luxury
ANGER, COLD-HEARTED, 1.
6. Boling
From rags
pointto(the
riches
time 6.1. Mr Hazif
I am came
proud withtoGhani
a boiling pointhis
because when his students
diligence has
EVIL (from
whenbeing very poor
one becomes to
very did nothim
finish their homework
(KEMARAHAN@PEMARAH, very taken from rags to riches
rich)
angry)
TIADA PERASAAN,
JAHAT) Prasana lookedspeaks
daggers at Wahidi
CONFUSED, NERVOUS, 2.
1. Look daggers
At sixes at
and sevens
2.
1. When Mr Hazif in English, the after he lost
students
SCARED (KELIRU, her diary
are all at sixes and sevens
(insomeone (to look at
confusion)
CEMAS, TAKUT) someone with fury and
2.hatred)
Fish out of water
(feeling uncomfortable 2.3. Marlon wasinto
Togo flew like rage
a fishwhen
out of water
Zaidi readwhen
his the 5
3.for
Flybeing
into rage/ temper (to
in awkward/ Fikrah girls talked about fashion/
messages/ If you don’t want me to fly At theinto
Grand
rage,
Dinner,
don’t Linga
become very
unfamiliar angry
surroundings) was my
like toys
a fish out of water
mess with
suddenly) because he had to sit with the VIP’s
3. Give someone the 4. Girls, if you don’t want to suffer, please don’t
4. jitters
Hot-headed
(to cause great 3. The earthquake last night gave us the jitters/
marry someone who is hot-headed/ Everybody
(easily arousedtoto anger)
nervousness In 5 Bestari, the discipline teacher gave them
hates him because he is a hot-headed man
someone) the jitters when he said he wanted to do a spot
5. check
The boys had some unsolved issues, so please
5. Add insult to injury (to don’t add insult to injury by asking then to work
CO-OPERATION 1.make
Join force (work 1. Then students joined force to clean the clogged
matters worse) together
(KERJASAMA) together) drain/ If hostility and join force
ATTARACTIVE, 1. Easy on the eye 1. Azlin, whose look like Maya Karin, is easy on the
BEAUTIFUL, CLEN, TIDY (attractive, beautiful) eye/ The scenery in Langkawi is easy on the eye
(MENARIK,
DISSAPOINTMENT,
CANTIK, 1. Heart sinks 1. My heart sinks when she rejected my love/
SADNES, WORRIED
BERSIH, KEMAS)
(KEKECEWAAN, 2.(lose hope
Feast or being
for the eyes 2. Athirah’s heart
The colourful sinks when
flowers are athe teacher
feast for the eyes/
disappointed)
(something satisfying and rejected
It is reallyher work/for
a feast His the
words made
eyes whenmyI see
heart
my
KESEDIHAN, RISAU) sink
students doing their work properly
delightful to see)
2. Spick
3. Lose sleep over(neat,
and span 3. Fahmi’s
2. room
I am losing is always
sleep over myspick andarrest
dad’s span/by
Make
the sure
someone/something
clean and tidy) your room
police/ Theisstudents
spick andofspan before
5 Fikrah areyou go out
losing sleep
(to worry about) over their homework since they have to hand in
the work tomorrow
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EXCITEMENT, 1. All agog (eager and full 1. We were all agog when dad decided to bring us to
HAPPINESS Pulau Langkawi for holiday.
of exciting expectation)
(TERUJA,
KEGEMBIRAAN) 2. Togo was bursting with joy when his name was
2. Bursting with joy (full of
happiness) declared as the winner of the competition.

3. Delirious with joy 3. Fatirah was delirious with joy for having the
(wild with excitement)
opportunity to visit Cameron Highlands/ Mr
Hazif’s students were delirious with joy when he
announced that he will be giving ‘duit raya’ to all
of them.
FAMOUS, WELL- 1. Big name 1. Lionel Messi is a big name in football/ Athirah
KNOWN, trains very hard because she wants to be the big
SUCCESSFUL (a famous person)
(TERKENAL, name in squash.
DIKENALI,
BERJAYA) 2. Dark horse 2. Syazwan is a real dark horse when he surprisingly
(a person of unknown managed to grab the gold medal in SUKMA 2015.
abilities and may spring
a surprise)

HOPE, HOPEFUL 1. After a storm comes a 1. I am sure things will get better because I always
(HARAPAN, calm (there will be believe that after a storm comes calm.
BERHARAP) something better after
an unpleasant)
2. My sister is banking on me to help her with the
2. Back on/ upon house chores/ Even though I’m your brother, you
someone (count on should not back on me too much.
someone)
3. The students are now putting their last ditch
effort before the trial examination starts.
3. Last ditch effort (a final
effort)

INTELLIGENCE, 1. Ahead of (one’s) time 1. Sivathasan’s dancing skill is well ahead of his time.
TALENT, WISE
(advanced in knowledge,
(KEBIJAKSANAAN,
skills)
BAKAT)
2. Diamond in the rough 2. Even though Syazwan is a bit plump, he is a real
(a potentially excellent diamond in the rough when it comes to archery/
person or thing hidden Proton cars may look cheap but they are
by a rough physical look) diamond in the rough.

3. Have a flair for

something (having 3. Marlon has a flair for football/ Even though
natural ability to do Sarah is a quiet person, she has a flair for
something) cooking.

4. Have a bent for 4. Kasthury has bent for Indian dance/ The 5 Fikrah
something (having an
boys have a bent for football.
inborn talent to do
something)
5. The principal had a gift of gab during the morning
5. Have a give of gab assembly.
(able to speak well)
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LAZY, TIRED, 1. Deadbeat (tired)
USELESS (MALAS,
LETIH, TAK BOLEH
DIHARAP) 2. Lazybones (an idle
person)
3. Couch potato (a person
who watches a lot of
television and does not
have an active lifestyle)
4. Lame duck (someone
who is incompetent)
5. Have no relish of doing
something (no interest
to do something)
PROBLEMATIC, 1. Play dirty trick on
TROUBLESOME someone (no treat
(BERMASALAH, someone in a way
MENYUSAHKAN) dishonest way)
2. Get into hot water (be
trouble)
3. Make waves (to make
troubles of difficulties)
4. Wet blanket (a person
who spoils a cheerful
atmosphere)
PROUD 1. Act high and mighty (to
(BANGGA, act proudly and
MEMBANGGAKAN) powerfully)
2. Blow one’s own
trumpet (to boast about
oneself)
3. As proud as a peacock
(someone who is overly
proud)
1. We were deadbeat after walking for 10
kilometres/ Syaz looked deadbeat after the
class had finished.
2. Wahidi did not take part in any competition
because he is lazybones.
3. Ihsan always refused to join us play badminton
because he is a couch potato/ “Stop being a
couch potato. Let’s go out play!” said Shahida
to Ezreen.
4. Joker is a lame duck and will cause his business
partner a great loss.
5. The 5 Fikrah boys had no relish of doing their
homework last week because it was tough for
them.
1. They played a dirty trick on me by refusing to
pay my salary.
2. Mr. Hazif reminds his students that they will get
into hot water if they do not come for the
extra class.
3. You should not make waves at school or you will
be punished.
4. Iman did not invited Zaidi to her birthday party
because he is always wet blanket.
1. Nobody likes Tess as she always acts high and
mighty. / Don’t act high and mighty, without your
father, you are nothing!
2. He is not rich but he likes to blow his own
trumpet/ I am not blowing my own trumpet but
indeed I look like Brad Pitt!
3. After winning the Malaysian Idol, Amielya became
as proud as peacock/ Don’t be as proud as
peacock, everything that you have now is God’s
gift.
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RESPONSIBLE, 1. Man of his word (a person
TRUSTWORTHY who keeps his promise)
(BERTANGGUNGJAWAB,
BOLEH DIPERCAYAI)
2. Keep a tab on something
(to keep a check on
something)
3. Actions speak louder than
words (what we do is more
important than what we
say)
TIME 1. At the eleventh hour
(WAKTU, MASA) (at the last moment)
2. At the crack of dawn
(very early in the morning)
3. In the nick of time
(just in time)
UNTIDY, DIRTY 1. In a clutter (untidy)
(TIDAK KEMAS, KOTOR)
2. Curly dirt (puffs of dirt and
dust)
1. The class monitor of 5 Bestari is a man
of his word/ We can trust Zaidi
because he is a man of his word.
2. Yuvati is a trustworthy person
because she always keeps a tab on the
class expenditure.
3. You should stop complaining and start
doing something now because actions
speak louder than words.
1. The students studied at the eleventh
hour for the SPM trial.
2. We left our house at the crack of
dawn/ We started our journey at the
crack of dawn.
3. The car stopped in the nick of time
before hitting Farah.
1. Azril’s room is always in a clutter/ The
place was really in a clutter.
2. Lila’s room has a mountain of curly dirt
since she rarely cleans her room.