Translating Idiomatic Expressions

Idiom can be defined as frozen expressions having different meanings from the meaning of the
individual constituent words.
a) The awful score in the exam broke his heart. (Direct/Transparent)
b) The old man kicked the bucket two days ago. (Indirect/Opaque)

Strategies to translate idiomatic expressions:

1. Using an idiom of similar meaning and form
2. Using an idiom of similar meaning but dissimilar form
3. Borrowing the source language idiom
4. Translating by paraphrasing

Exercise
A. Translate the following sentences into Indonesian language, pay attention on the
idiomatic expressions
1. He is one of my best friends and I cannot believe that he stabbed me in the back.
2. The robbery was committed in broad daylight.
3. Three of the airplane crash survivors are still at death's door.
4. Dave looked like a bag of bones when he was done with his cancer treatment.
5. Stop beating around the bush and tell me what the problem is.
6. I thought he was brave but he turned out to be chicken-hearted.

B. Translate the following idioms into Indonesian languages. If no equivalents are

available, explain the meaning in Indonesian language (paraphrasing).
1. A piece of cake
2. Break a leg
3. In the family way
4. Let the cat out of the bag
5. Like one of the family
6. To add insult to injury
7. To cost an arm and a leg
8. To feel under the weather
9. To kill two birds with one stone
10. You can't judge a book by its cover