Sharfina, Wafi Zata (2026) AN ANALYSIS OF IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS IN THE MOVIE “BACK IN ACTION” (2025). Undergraduate (S1) thesis, UIN Kiai Ageng Muhammad Besari.
Preview |
Text
2026_THESIS_WAFI_ZATA_SHARFINA_ETHESIS.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Sharfina, Wafi Zata. 2026. An Analysis of Idiomatic Expressions in the Movie "Back in Action" (2025). Thesis, English Language Teaching Department, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teacher Training, State Islamic University of Kiai Ageng Muhammad Besari Ponorogo. Advisor: Puji Agustina, S.Pd.
Key Words: Idiomatic Expressions, Pure Idiom, Figurative Idiom, Semi-Idiom, Back in Action
Idiomatic expressions represent one of the most challenging yet culturally essential aspects of English for EFL learners. Due to their figurative, non-compositional, and culturally embedded nature, idioms cannot be interpreted through direct translation or literal word analysis, making mastery of idiomatic language fundamental to developing genuine communicative competence. Despite its importance, EFL learners continue to face considerable difficulty in recognizing and interpreting idiomatic expressions in authentic English discourse. Films, as rich sources of contextualized authentic language, offer a highly engaging medium through which learners can encounter idioms as they naturally occur in real communicative situations, providing both linguistic input and cultural context simultaneously.
This study addresses two central research questions: (1) What types of idiomatic expressions are found in the movie “Back in Action” (2025)?; and (2) What are the contextual meanings of those idiomatic expressions as used in the film’s dialogue? These questions are guided by Yousef’s (2024) theoretical framework, which classifies idiomatic expressions into pure idioms, figurative idioms, semi-idioms, and open collocations. The film “Back in Action” (2025), a Netflix action-comedy directed by Seth Gordon and starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx, was selected as the primary data source because its fast-paced humorous dialogue is exceptionally rich in contemporary American idiomatic language, and no prior study has systematically analyzed its idiomatic content.
This study employed a qualitative approach with a descriptive research design. Data were collected through systematic documentation of the film’s official English subtitle transcript, accessed via the Netflix streaming platform, and cross-referenced with repeated viewings of the film itself and with standard idiom dictionaries. All identified expressions were verified against the Cambridge Dictionary of Idioms and the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms before being classified using Yousef’s (2024) framework. Data analysis followed the interactive model proposed by Miles, Huberman, and Saldana (2014), comprising three interconnected stages: data condensation, data display, and drawing and verifying conclusions. Trustworthiness was established through source triangulation, prolonged engagement with the data, and peer debriefing.
The analysis identified a total of 45 idiomatic expressions distributed equally across three categories: 15 pure idioms (33.3%), 15 figurative idioms (33.3%), and 15 semi-idioms (33.3%). Pure idioms such as “blast from the past” and “curiosity killed the cat” served humorous and culturally embedded communicative functions. Figurative idioms such as “in play” and “been compromised” reflected the film’s espionage discourse and operational register. Semi-idioms such as “focus up” and “swing by” characterized the informal interpersonal interactions between characters. These findings confirm that “Back in Action” is a rich source of contemporary idiomatic language highly relevant for EFL learning. Pedagogically, the results suggest that films of this genre can be effectively integrated into EFL instruction to expose learners to authentic idiomatic language in contextually meaningful situations, thereby strengthening idiomatic competence and communicative fluency.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Undergraduate (S1)) |
|---|---|
| Thesis Supervisor: | Fenty Andriani |
| Subjects: | 13 EDUCATION > 1399 Other Education > 139999 Education not elsewhere classified |
| Divisions: | Fakultas Ilmu Tarbiyah dan Keguruan > Jurusan Tadris Bahasa Inggris |
| Depositing User: | Perpustakaan Pusat |
| Date Deposited: | 18 Jun 2026 08:19 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Jun 2026 08:19 |
| URI: | http://etheses.uinponorogo.ac.id/id/eprint/40462 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
