Idiomatic expressions are phrases or common sayings with a different meaning from the literal one.
Using them helps you to speak like a real local and understand the Italian culture better!
Italian expressions with food
Piangere sul latte versato
Literally: Crying over spilled milk.
Meaning: Worrying about something that can’t be changed is useless.
Ormai il danno è fatto, non piangere sul latte versato. The damage is done; don't cry over spilled milk.
Far venire il latte alle ginocchia
Literally: Make your knees ache.
Meaning: To be annoying, boring, or tiresome (referring to a situation or person).
Non ne posso più di ascoltare Carla, mi fa venire il latte alle ginocchia. I can't listen to Carla anymore; I got so bored.
Cercare il pelo nell’uovo
Literally: Finding the hair in the egg.
English equivalent: Splitting hairs.
Meaning: Being overly precise.
Claudia trova sempre qualcosa che non va, cerca il pelo nell’uovo. Claudia always finds something wrong; she's always splitting hairs.
Essere come il prezzemolo
Literally: Being like parsley.
English equivalent: To turn up everywhere.
Meaning: Being everywhere; to be omnipresent.
È incredibile, incontro Carlo ovunque: al bar, al supermercato. Carlo è come il prezzemolo. It's incredible! I ran into Carlo everywhere: at the bar, at the supermarket. Carlo turns up everywhere.
Non tutte le ciambelle escono col buco
Literally: Not all doughnuts come out with a hole.
English equivalent: Not everything goes as planned.
Meaning: Not everything turns out the way you want it to.
Ho fatto bene tutti gli esercizi tranne l’ultimo. Non tutte le ciambelle escono con il buco. I got all the exercises right except for the last one. Not everything goes as planned.
Essere farina del proprio sacco
Literally: From your own flour sack.
Meaning: A personal idea, initiative, or work.
Il tuo nuovo progetto è molto interessante, hai preso spunto da altri progetti? – No, è tutta farina del mio sacco. Your new project is very interesting, have you taken inspiration from other projects? - No, it’s all on me.
Capitare a fagiolo
Meaning: Perfect timing, the right thing at the right moment.
English equivalent: Right on time.
Avevamo giusto bisogno di te per spostare un mobile, in questo momento. Capiti a fagiolo! We needed you to help move some furniture, and here you are. You arrived just in time!
Avere le mani di pasta frolla
Meaning: Someone who drops everything.
English equivalent: Butterfingers.
Oggi faccio cadere tutto. Ho proprio le mani di pasta frolla. Today, I'm dropping everything. I've got butterfingers.
Essere buono come il pane/ essere un pezzo di pane
Literally: As good as bread.
English equivalent: To have a heart of gold.
Meaning: To be very good-natured and altruistic, always thinking of others.
Rafael è sempre gentile con tutti, è proprio un pezzo di pane. Rafael is always kind to everyone; he has a heart of gold.
Avere il prosciutto sugli occhi
Literally: To have ham over one’s eyes.
Meaning: To not see what’s obvious.
Matteo è proprio ingenuo, non vede le cose più chiare, ha il prosciutto sugli occhi. Matteo is so naïve, that he can't see the most obvious things. He's blind
Andare a tutta birra
Literally: Going at full beer.
English equivalent: Going full throttle.
Meaning: Moving or going very fast.
Oggi Andrea era in ritardo, con la bici è andato a tutta birra. Andrea was running late today; he was going full throttle on his bike.
Non capire un cavolo
Literally: To not understand a cabbage.
Meaning: To not understand at all.
La fisica è difficilissima, non ci capisco un cavolo. Physics is so hard; I don't understand a thing.
Acqua in bocca
Literally: To keep water in your mouth.
English equivalent: Mum’s word.
Meaning: A way to tell someone to keep a secret.
Ho deciso di andare a vivere a New York, ma è un segreto! Acqua in bocca. I've decided to move to New York, but it's a secret! Mum's word.
Essere alla frutta
Literally: At the fruit.
English equivalent: At the end of your rope.
Meaning: Being very tired, having no more energy.
Oggi ho lavorato 10 ore, sono stanchissima, sono proprio alla frutta. I've worked 10 hours today; I'm exhausted - I'm at the end of my rope.
Mettere troppa carne al fuoco
Literally: Putting too much meat on the fire.
English equivalent: Biting off more than you can chew.
Meaning: Trying to do more than you can handle.
Vorrei dare 5 esami e scrivere la tesi entro ottobre, ma ho paura di mettere troppa carne al fuoco. I want to take five exams and write my thesis by October, but I'm afraid I’m biting off more than I can chew.
Togliere le castagne dal fuoco
Literally: Getting the chestnuts out of the fire.
Meaning: Solving a problematic situation for someone else’s benefit.
Nessuno vuole parlare con il responsabile per risolvere il problema, come sempre tocca a me togliere le castagne dal fuoco. No one wants to talk to the boss to fix the problem, so as usual, it's up to me to take care of the matter.
Prendere fischi per fiaschi
Literally : Taking whistles for flasks.
Meaning: Misunderstanding or misinterpreting something.
Mario è andato in via Cavour quando gli avevo detto di venire in Piazza Duomo, prende sempre fischi per fiaschi. Mario went to Cavour Street when I told him to come to Duomo Square - he always misunderstands.
Fa acqua da tutte le parti
Literally: It doesn’t hold water.
English equivalent: Leaking like a sieve.
Meaning: When a plan, program, or argument has many flaws or lacks a solid foundation (used only in the third person singular).
Non hai considerato molti aspetti di quella situazione. Il tuo piano fa acqua da tutte le parti. You didn’t consider many aspects of the situation. Your plan leaks like a sieve - it’s bound to fail.
Essere tutto fumo e niente arrosto
Literally: Be all smoke and no roast.
English equivalent: All show and no substance.
Meaning: A lot of appearance but little substance.
Paolo si offre sempre per aiutare ma poi non si presenta quando c’è bisogno. È tutto fumo e niente arrosto. Paolo always offers to help but never shows up when needed. He’s all show and no substance.
Allungare il brodo
Literally: Stretching the soup.
Meaning: Adding unnecessary content to a conversation just to make it longer.
Sarebbe bastata una frase ma Marco ha parlato per oltre un’ora dello stesso argomento. Ha allungato il brodo. One sentence would have been enough, but Marco talked about the same topic for over an hour.
Perdersi in un bicchiere d’acqua
Literally: Getting lost in a glass of water.
English equivalent: Drowning in a glass of water.
Meaning: Panicking over minor difficulties.
Gli ho fatto una domanda molto facile per aiutarlo ma si è confuso ancora di più. A volte i miei studenti si perdono in un bicchier d’acqua. I asked him a simple question to help, but he got even more confused. Sometimes my students drown in a glass of water.
Passare dalla padella alla brace
Literally: Out of the frying pan, into the fire.
Meaning: Moving from a bad situation to a worse one.
Elena ha cambiato lavoro perché non si trovava bene in ufficio. Si lamenta già di quello nuovo, perché molto stancante. E' passata dalla padella alla brace. Elena changed jobs because she didn’t like her office. Now she's already complaining about the new one because it's so exhausting- she’s out of the frying pan, into the fire.
Italian expression with animals
Essere un orso
Literally: Being a bear.
Meaning: To be an unsociable person who prefers to be alone.
English equivalent: To be a lone wolf.
Edoardo non esce mai con gli amici e odia le feste, è proprio un orso. Edoardo never goes out with friends and hates parties; he’s truly a lone wolf.
Fare il galletto
Literally: To act like a rooster.
Meaning: A person (usually young) who tries to attract attention with impertinence and boldness.
English equivalent: To strut like a peacock.
Smettila di contraddirmi solo per farmi arrabbiare, non fare il galletto con me! Stop contradicting me just to make me angry, don’t strut like a peacock!
Essere una capra
Literally: Being a goat.
Meaning: To be ignorant.
Non capisco niente di queste formule, sono proprio una capra in matematica. I can’t understand these formulas, I’m really bad at math.
Essere un asino
Literally: Being a donkey.
Meaning: A person who is ignorant or slow to understand.
English equivalent: To be a dunce.
È la quinta volta che la maestra spiega le tabelline ma Mario continua a non capirle. È un asino. The teacher has explained the multiplication tables five times, but Mario still doesn’t get it. He’s a dunce.
Essere sano come un pesce
Literally: Healthy like a fish
Meaning: To be very healthy and full of energy.
English equivalent: To be fit as a fiddle.
Maria ha ricevuto i risultati delle analisi, è sana come un pesce! Maria got her test results back, and she’s as healthy as a fish!
Essere un verme
Literally: To be like a worm.
Meaning: To be a bad or evil person.
English equivalent: To be a lowlife.
Chi maltratta gli animali o i bambini è un verme. Anyone who mistreats animals or children is a lowlife.
Essere solo come un cane
Literally: Being lonely like a dog
Meaning: To be completely alone.
English equivalent: To be lonely as a cloud.
I miei amici hanno disdetto all’ultimo minuto e mi hanno lasciato solo come un cane nel centro della città. My friends canceled at the last minute and left me alone like a cloud in the city center.
Essere in quattro gatti
Literally: To be four cats.
Meaning: Refers to a small number of people.
Siamo andati in gita con la scuola ma molti studenti sono rimasti a casa. Eravamo in quattro gatti. We went on a school trip, but many students stayed home. There were only a few of us.
Non sapere che pesci prendere
Literally: Not know what fish to catch.
Meaning: Not knowing what to do or which choice to make.
English equivalent: To be at a loss
Mia figlia mi risponde sempre male e non vuole più parlare con me. Non so più che pesci prendere. My daughter always talks back and refuses to speak to me. I don’t know what to do anymore, I’m out of options.
Sentirsi un pesce fuor d’acqua
Literally: To feel like a fish out of water
Meaning: To feel out of place or uncomfortable.
English equivalent: To feel like a fish out of water.
Non vado mai in palestra, ci sono stato poche volte ma mi sono sempre sentito un pesce fuor d’acqua. I never go to the gym, I’ve been a few times but I always felt like a fish out of water.
Essere pazzo come un cavallo
Literally: To be crazy like a horse.
Meaning: To be unpredictable.
English equivalent: To be crazy like a fox.
È uscito da lavoro un giorno, ha preso l’aereo e nessuno l’ha più visto per un mese. È pazzo come un cavallo. He quit his job one day, took a flight, and no one saw him for a month. He’s as crazy as a fox.
Prendere il toro per le corna/tagliare la testa al toro
Literally: To take the bull by the horns/ to cut the bull’s head off.
Meaning: To face a problem with courage and decisiveness / make a definitive decision.
English equivalent: To take the bull by the horns.
Giulia è troppo indecisa sul da farsi, deve prendere il toro per le corna e affrontare la situazione. Giulia is too indecisive about what to do; she needs to take the bull by the horns and face the situation.
Ne ho abbastanza di questa questione, tagliamo la testa al toro e decidiamo una volta per tutte! I’ve had enough of this matter, let’s decide once and for all!
Non essere un’aquila
Literally: To not be an eagle.
Meaning: Not being very sharp or intelligent.
English equivalent: To not be the sharpest tool in the shed.
Ha dovuto ripetere la classe terza 4 volte. Non è un'aquila. He had to repeat the third grade four times. He’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.
Ingoiare il rospo
Literally: To swallow the toad.
Meaning: To endure an unpleasant situation without reacting.
English equivalent: To swallow the bitter pill.
Non trovo giusto che io debba pagare per il danno, l’errore è stato suo. Ma credo che dovrò ingoiare il rospo e pagare. I don’t think it’s fair that I have to pay for the damage, the mistake was his. But I guess I’ll have to swallow the bitter pill and pay.
Sputare il rospo
Literally: To spill the toad.
Meaning: To confess something or reveal a secret kept for a long time.
English equivalent: To spill the beans.
Ho saputo qualcosa da Maria, mi ha detto di un certo matrimonio… Sputa il rospo. I heard something from Maria, she told me about a certain wedding... Spit it out.
In bocca al lupo!
Literally: In the mouth of the wolf.
Meaning: Used to wish someone good luck.
English equivalent: Break a leg!
-Ho l’esame di Anatomia domani, sono un po’ preoccupata. - In bocca al lupo! -I have my Anatomy exam tomorrow, I’m a bit worried. - Break a leg!
Avere grilli per la testa
Literally: To have many crickets in the head.
Meaning: To have many unrealistic or fanciful ideas, out of touch with reality.
English equivalent: To have the head in the clouds.
Riccardo pensa continuamente ai suoi progetti irrealizzabili ma non fa niente nella realtà, ha troppi grilli per la testa. Riccardo keeps dreaming up his unrealistic projects but does nothing in reality; he has his head in the clouds.
Prendere due piccioni con una fava
Literally: To take two birds with one stone.
Meaning: To achieve multiple benefits with one action.
English equivalent: To kill two birds with one stone.
Marta vorrebbe prendere un gelato e io vorrei andare a fare visita a un mio amico che abita in Piazza della Repubblica. C’è una gelateria molto buona in quella piazza, andiamo lì così prendiamo due piccioni con una fava. Marta wants ice cream, and I want to visit a friend who lives in Piazza della Repubblica. There’s a good ice cream shop there, so we can kill two birds with one stone.
Avere una brutta gatta da pelare
Literally: To have a bad cat to peel.
Meaning: To have a difficult or annoying problem to solve.
English equivalent: To have a tough nut to crack.
Il cliente del tavolo 6 dice di aver trovato un capello nella zuppa, non è per niente soddisfatto del servizio. Qualcuno dovrà parlarci, è una brutta gatta da pelare. The customer at table 6 says he found a hair in his soup and isn’t happy with the service. Someone has to talk to him; it’s a tough nut to crack.
Idiomatic expression with body parts
Stare con le mani in mano
Literally: To stay with one’s hands in hand.
Meaning: To do nothing, to be idle.
English equivalent: To sit on one’s hands.
Aiutaci! Non vedi che siamo in difficoltà? Non startene con le mani in mano. Help us! Can’t you see we’re in trouble? Don’t just sit on your hands.
Avere la coda di paglia
Literally: To have a tail made of straw.
Meaning: To have a guilty conscience and suspect that others are accusing you of something.
English equivalent: To have a guilty conscience.
Quando critico un certo comportamento, Michele pensa sempre che mi stia riferendo a lui. Ha la coda di paglia. Whenever I criticize a behavior, Michele always thinks I’m referring to him. He has a guilty conscience.
Lasciarci le penne
Literally: To leave one’s feathers behind.
Meaning: To die (said humorously).
English equivalent: To kick the bucket.
Marco è un appassionato di sport estremi, non sempre è attento alla sicurezza, prima o poi ci lascerà le penne. Marco loves extreme sports and doesn’t always prioritize safety. Sooner or later, he’ll kick the bucket.
Lavarsene le mani
Literally: To wash one’s hands of it.
Meaning: To refuse responsibility, to distance oneself.
English equivalent: To wash one’s hands of something.
Non voglio saperne niente di quel progetto, me ne lavo le mani. I don’t want to know anything about that project; I wash my hands of it.
Occhio per occhio, dente per dente
Literally: Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.
Meaning: To repay someone with the same treatment.
English equivalent: An eye for an eye.
Lui si è comportato male con me, ora io farò lo stesso. Occhio per occhio, dente per dente. He treated me badly, so now I’ll do the same. An eye for an eye.
Restare a bocca asciutta
Literally: To remain with a dry mouth.
Meaning: To not get what one wanted, to be disappointed.
English equivalent: To be left empty-handed.
Paolo si aspettava di avere una settimana di ferie in più ma il suo capo non gliel’ha data. È rimasto a bocca asciutta. Paolo expected an extra week of vacation, but his boss didn’t approve it. He was left empty-handed.
Avere fegato
Literally: To have liver.
Meaning: To be courageous.
English equivalent: To have guts.
Non può continuare a accettare tutti i compiti che le vengono dati, deve avere il fegato di rifiutare. She can’t keep taking on every task given to her; she needs to have the guts to refuse.
Avere uno stomaco di ferro
Literally: To have an iron stomach.
Meaning: To be able to handle things that are disgusting to others.
English equivalent: To have a strong stomach.
Per lavorare in ospedale devi essere pronto a vedere di tutto, devi avere uno stomaco di ferro. If you want to work in a hospital, you must be prepared to see anything; you need a strong stomach.
Alzarsi col piede sbagliato
Literally: To get up on the wrong foot.
Meaning: To be in a bad mood for the day.
English equivalent: To get up on the wrong side of the bed.
Oggi Mario non può vedere nessuno, risponde male a tutti. Si è alzato con il piede sbagliato. Mario is snapping at everyone today. He must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed.
Con la testa sulle spalle
Literally: With one’s head on one’s shoulders.
Meaning: To be sensible and reasonable.
English equivalent: To have one’s head on straight.
Giovanni non si è mai ubriacato, nonostante i suoi amici bevano molto tutti i fine settimana. È un ragazzo con la testa sulle spalle. Giovanni never gets drunk, even though his friends drink heavily every weekend. He has his head on straight.
Avere la testa fra le nuvole
Literally: To have one’s head among the clouds.
Meaning: To be distracted, daydreaming.
English equivalent: To have one’s head in the clouds.
In questi giorni ti vedo un po’ pensierosa, non sei molto presente. Hai la testa tra le nuvole. You seem distracted lately, like you’re not present. You have your head in the clouds.
Essere con i piedi per terra
Literally: To be with one’s feet on the ground.
Meaning: To be realistic, and down-to-earth.
English equivalent: To be down-to-earth.
Mette via i soldi invece di spenderli in cose inutili come fanno molti ragazzi della sua età. È un ragazzo con i piedi per terra. He saves money instead of spending it on unnecessary things like others his age. He’s very down-to-earth.
Essere una spina nel fianco
Literally: To be a thorn in the side.
Meaning: To be something or someone that is annoying or troublesome.
English equivalent: To be a thorn in the side.
A volte Caterina con il suo atteggiamento negativo è proprio una spina nel fianco. Sometimes Caterina’s negative attitude is really a thorn in the side.
Fare il passo più lungo della gamba
Literally: To take a step longer than the leg.
Meaning: To overreach or take on something beyond one’s capacity.
English equivalent: To bite off more than one can chew.
Ha voluto avviare un’attività in proprio in un periodo di crisi, con due figli a carico. Ha fatto il passo più lungo della gamba. He started his own business during a crisis with two kids to support. He bit off more than he could chew.
Non battere ciglio
Literally: Not to bat an eyelash.
Meaning: To show no reaction or emotion.
English equivalent: Not to bat an eye.
Deve essere un uomo molto facoltoso, quando ha visto il conto a tre zeri non ha battuto ciglio. When he saw the bill with three zeros, he didn’t bat an eye.
Non avere peli sulla lingua
Literally: To not have hair on one’s tongue.
Meaning: To be frank and direct, without fear.
English equivalent: Not to mince words.
Quando c’è qualcosa che non va, Lucia lo dice sempre apertamente. Non ha peli sulla lingua. When something is wrong, Lucia always says it directly. She doesn’t mince words.
Fasciarsi la testa prima di rompersela
Literally: To bandage one’s head before breaking it.
Meaning: To worry about potential problems before they happen.
English equivalent: To cross that bridge when you come to it.
-Questo progetto non mi convince, se le persone non lo riceveranno bene perderemo molti soldi. – Potrebbe anche andare bene, non fasciarti la testa prima di rompertela. - I’m worried about the project; if people don’t like it, we’ll lose money. - It could work out, don’t cross that bridge before you come to it.
A occhio e croce
Literally: By eye and cross.
Meaning: To estimate something roughly.
English equivalent: Roughly or by guess.
A occhio e croce saranno 2 km. By rough estimate, it’s about 2 kilometers.
Avere un diavolo per capello
Literally: To have a devil in one’s hair.
Meaning: To be very angry or in a bad mood.
English equivalent: To be in a foul mood.
Mario è appena stato lasciato dalla moglie, è di pessimo umore. Ha un diavolo per capello. Mario was just dumped by his wife, and he’s in a foul mood.
Salvarsi per un pelo
Literally: To save oneself by a hair.
Meaning: To narrowly escape or avoid danger.
English equivalent: To escape by the skin of one’s teeth.
Sono uscita da scuola alle 11:30 per andare a fare una visita medica. Alle 12 il professore ha interrogato la classe a tappeto. Mi sono salvata per un pelo! I left school at 11:30 for a doctor’s appointment, and at 12, the professor grilled the class. I escaped by the skin of my teeth!
Idiomatic expressions with colors
Essere al verde
Literally: To be at the green.
Meaning: To be out of money.
English equivalent: To be broke.
Ho speso quasi tutti i miei risparmi per comprare la macchina, sono al verde. I spent almost all my savings on buying the car, and now I’m broke.
Essere nero
Literally: To be black.
Meaning: To be very angry or in a bad mood.
Oggi Mario ce l’ha con tutti, è nero. Today Mario is angry with everyone; he’s furious.
Passare la notte in bianco
Literally: To spend the night in white.
Meaning: To not sleep at all.
La notte prima degli esami non riesco a dormire neanche un’ora. Passo sempre la notte in bianco. The night before exams, I can’t sleep even for an hour. I always have a sleepless night.
Idiomatic expression with numbers
In quattro e quattr’otto
Literally: In four and four eight.
Meaning: In an instant, very quickly.
English equivalent: In the blink of an eye.
Asia riesce a risolvere le espressioni in quattro e quattr’otto. Diventerà una matematica. Asia solves math problems in the blink of an eye. She’ll become a mathematician.
Fare i conti senza l’oste
Literally: To count without the innkeeper.
Meaning: To make plans hastily without consulting those involved.
English equivalent: To count your chickens before they hatch.
Prendiamo il treno per Roma, ci facciamo ospitare da Pino e in tre giorni giriamo tutta la città, che te ne pare? – Hai parlato con Pino? Mi sembra che tu stia facendo i conti senza l’oste. Let’s take the train to Rome, stay with Pino, and see the whole city in three days. What do you think? – Have you talked to Pino? You’re counting your chickens before they hatch.
Non c’è due senza tre
Literally: There’s no two without three.
Meaning: If something happens twice, it will likely happen a third time.
English equivalent: Things happen in threes.
È la seconda volta che perdo le chiavi di casa, com’è possibile? – Fai attenzione, non c’è due senza tre. It’s the second time I’ve lost my house keys. How is this possible? – Be careful, things happen in threes.
Idiomatic expression with time
Non vedere l’ora
Literally: To not see the hour.
Meaning: To look forward to something with anticipation or excitement.
English equivalent: I can’t wait!
Sono così contenta di rivederti, non vedo l’ora! I am so excited to see you again, I can’t wait!
Meglio tardi che mai
Literally: Better late than never.
Meaning: It is better to be late to something than to not do it at all.
Sono due ore che aspetto Gino. Ah, eccolo che arriva, meglio tardi che mai. I've been waiting for Gino for two hours. Ah, here he comes, better late than never!
Non c’è due senza tre
Literally:
Meaning:
English equivalent:
È la seconda volta che perdo le chiavi di casa, com’è possibile? – Fai attenzione, non c’è due senza tre. It’s the second time I’ve lost my house keys. How is this possible? – Be careful, things happen in threes.
Ammazzare il tempo
Literally: To kill time.
Meaning: To kill boredom while waiting by doing something to pass the time.
Dovrò rimanere tre ore all’aeroporto di Francoforte per aspettare il prossimo volo. Devo trovare qualcosa da fare per ammazzare il tempo. I will have to stay three hours at Frankfurt airport to wait for the next flight. I have to find something to do to kill time.
Spaccare il minuto o il secondo
Literally: To split the minute or the second
Meaning: To be extremly precise.
English equivalent: To be right on the dot.
Avevo appuntamento con Carla alle 16:00, è arrivata alle 16 in punto. Ha spaccato il minuto. I had an appointment with Carla at 4pm, she arrived at 4pm sharp - she was right on the dot!
Fare le ore piccole
Literally: To make small hours.
Meaning: To stay up late, often until the early morning hours.
English equivalent: To be up all night.
Avevo del lavoro arretrato, ho fatto le ore piccole. Sono andato a dormire alle 3. I had some backlog of work, I was up all night and went to bed at 3am.
Idiomatic expression with clothes
Sudare sette camicie
Literally: To sweat seven shirts.
Meaning: To work very hard.
English equivalent: To work one’s fingers to the bone.
Hai le scarpe sporche di fango, fermati e toglitele. Oggi ho sudato sette camicie per pulire tutta la casa. Your shoes are dirty with mud, stop and take them off. I worked my fingers to the bone cleaning the whole house today.
Rimboccarsi le maniche
Literally: To roll up one’s sleeves.
Meaning: To get to work or to get busy.
Giorgio non può continuare a stare in casa senza fare niente, deve rimboccarsi le maniche e trovare un lavoro. Giorgio can’t keep sitting around doing nothing; he needs to roll up his sleeves and find a job.
Conoscere qualcuno o qualcosa come le proprie tasche
Literally: To know someone or something like one’s own pockets.
Meaning: To know someone or something very well.
English equivalent: To know something like the back of your hand.
“Sei mai stato a Firenze?” -“Certo, ci ho vissuto per molti anni. La conosco come le mie tasche.”
Fare tanto di cappello
Literally: To do much of the hat.
Meaning: To compliment someone, express respect and admiration for someone.
English equivalent: To tip one’s hat (in admiration) / “Hats off to [someone]!”
Ho visto le tue opere esposte alla mostra d’arte in centro a Firenze. Sono rimasto a bocca aperta, tanto di cappello! I saw your works displayed at the art exhibition in downtown Florence. I was amazed, hats off to you!
Idiomatic expression with sleep
Dormire sugli allori o adagiarsi sugli allori
Literally: To sleep on one’s laurels.
Meaning: To relax by relying on past achievements, without striving for anything new.
English equivalent: To rest on one’s laurels.
Da quando ha svolto quel ruolo importante in televisione, non ha più cercato altro. Si è adagiato sugli allori. Since he played that important role on television, he hasn’t looked for anything else. He’s resting on his laurels.
Chi dorme non piglia pesci
Literally: He who sleeps doesn’t catch fish.
Meaning: If you are not alert or active, you will miss out on opportunities.
English equivalent: You snooze, you lose.
Dovresti darti da fare, chi dorme non piglia pesci! You should get moving, you snooze, you lose!
Dormire come un ghiro
Literally: To sleep like a dormouse.
Meaning: To sleep deeply.
English equivalent: To sleep like a log.
Tuo figlio piange ancora di notte? Does your son still cry at night?
Idiomatic expression with cards
Cambiare le carte in tavola
Literally: To change the cards on the table.
Meaning: To do something differently from what was previously agreed upon.
English equivalent:To change the game plan.
Aveva detto di essere d’accordo con il piano, adesso non è convinto dell’organizzazione. Vuole cambiare le carte in tavola. He had agreed with the plan, but now he’s not convinced about the organization. He wants to change the game plan.
Rispondere picche
Literally: To answer with a spade.
Meaning:To reject or to give a negative answer.
English equivalent: To turn someone down.
Sono un po’ deluso. Ho invitato Maria a cena ieri ma ha risposto picche. I’m a bit disappointed. I invited Maria to dinner yesterday, but she turned me down.
Piantare in asso
Literally: To plant [someone] in the ace.
Meaning: To leave someone unexpectedly without warning.
English equivalent: To leave someone hanging.
La serata stava andando bene, eravamo a cena in un locale elegante ma a un certo punto ha ricevuto una chiamata importante e mi ha piantato in asso. The evening was going well, we were having dinner at a nice place, but at one point he got an important call and left me hanging.
Farsi il mazzo
Literally: To make one’s deck (of cards).
Meaning: To work hard or to put in a lot of effort.
English equivalent: To work one’s socks off.
Mentre mio fratello gioca ai videogiochi tutto il giorno, mia mamma si fa il mazzo per poter mantenere la casa. While my brother plays video games all day, my mom works her socks off to support the household.
Idiomatic expression with objects
Cercare un ago nel pagliaio
Literally: To look for a needle in a haystack.
Meaning:A difficult or nearly impossible task.
Io ci provo ad aiutarti, ma è impossibile, è come cercare un ago nel pagliaio. I’ll try to help you, but it’s impossible, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.
Avere il coltello dalla parte del manico
Literally: To have the knife by the handle.
Meaning: To be in a favorable position, to have a clear advantage.
English equivalent: To have the upper hand.
Non ti preoccupare, hai molte prove contro di lui e puoi denunciarlo quando vuoi. Hai il coltello dalla parte del manico. Don’t worry, you have a lot of evidence against him and can report him whenever you want. You have the upper hand.
Darsi la zappa sui piedi
Literally: To give oneself the hoe on the feet.
Meaning: To unintentionally make a mistake that ends up harming your own situation.
English equivalent: To shoot oneself in the foot.
Manuel era felice di aver ottenuto un nuovo incarico in azienda ma ha scoperto che si tratta di un lavoro molto noioso. Si è dato la zappa sui piedi. Manuel was happy to have gotten a new job in the company, but he found out it’s a very boring job. He shot himself in the foot.
Battere il ferro finché è caldo
Literally: To strike the iron while it’s hot.
Meaning: To take advantage of favorable circumstances or to seize the moment.
Oggi il capo è di buon umore, approfittane per chiedere la promozione. Bisogna battere il ferro finché è caldo! Today the boss is in a good mood, take advantage of it to ask for the promotion. Strike while the iron is hot!
Essere in una botte di ferro
Literally: To be in a barrel of iron.
Meaning: To be in a safe, secure, or protected situation.
English equivalent: To be in the clear.
Tutte le accuse a suo carico sono crollate, è in una botte di ferro ora. All the charges against him have collapsed, he’s in the clear now.
Essere l’ultima ruota del carro
Literally: To be the last wheel of the wagon.
Meaning: To be insignificant or not important (often humorously referring to a person).
English equivalent: To be the the last to know.
Vengo a sapere le cose sempre per ultimo. Sono l’ultima ruota del carro in questa famiglia. I always find out things last. I'm always the last to know in this family.
Mettere i bastoni fra le ruote
Literally: To put the sticks between the wheels.
Meaning: To obstruct someone or sabotage their plans.
English equivalent: To throw a wrench in the works or to put a spanner in the works.
Alessandro si mette sempre in mezzo in cose che non gli riguardano. Mette sempre i bastoni fra le ruote! Alessandro always interferes with things that don’t concern him. He always throws a wrench in the works!
Tagliare la corda
Literally: To cut the rope.
Meaning: To leave quickly or to run away to avoid something.
English equivalent: To make a run for it.
Giorgio ha paura dei cani, taglia sempre la corda quando ne intravede qualcuno. Giorgio is afraid of dogs, he always makes a run for it when he sees one.
Tirare la corda
Literally: To pull the rope.
Meaning: To ask for more than is reasonable or fair, often exceeding what is acceptable.
English equivalent: To push one’s luck.
Marta non è una persona molto tenace, appena trova una difficoltà getta la spugna. Giulia asked me to lend her the car again. She is pushing her luck.
Gettare la spugna
Literally: To throw in the sponge.
Meaning: To give up.
English equivalent: To throw in the towel.
Giulia mi ha chiesto di prestarle di nuovo la macchina. Sta tirando la corda. Marta isn’t very persistent, she throws in the towel as soon as she faces any difficulty.
Idiomatic expression for describing a person
Avere una marcia in più
Literally: To have an extra gear.
Meaning: To have superior abilities compared to others.
English equivalent: To have an edge.
Federica riesce sempre a risolvere i problemi di tutti, ha proprio una marcia in più! Federica always manages to solve everyone’s problems, she really has an edge!
Avere la puzza sotto il naso
Literally: To have a bad smell under the nose.
Meaning: To feel superior to others.
English equivalent: To be stuck up.
Andrea guarda sempre tutti dall’alto al basso, ha sempre la puzza sotto il naso. Andrea always looks down on everyone, he is stuck up.
Avere paura della propria ombra
Literally: To be afraid of one’s own shadow.
Meaning: To be afraid of everything.
Alessia deve dormire sempre con la luce accesa, ha paura anche della propria ombra. Alessia has to sleep with the light on, she’s even scared of her own shadow.
Fare il bastian contrario
Literally: To play the contrary man.
Meaning: To take an opposing position just to contradict others.
English equivalent: To play devil’s advocate.
Andrea mi deve sempre contraddire, si diverte a fare il bastian contrario. Andrea always has to contradict me, he enjoys playing devil’s advocate.
Essere un Don Giovanni
Literally: To be a Don Giovanni.
Meaning: To be a womanizer or seducer.
English equivalent: To be a ladies’ man.
Pietro ha un sacco di corteggiatrici, è proprio un Don Giovanni! Pietro has a lot of admirers, he’s definitely a ladies’ man!
Essere due gocce d’acqua
Literally: To be two drops of water.
Meaning: To be identical or very similar.
English equivalent: To be a spitting image of someone.
Si vede che Laura e Alessandra sono madre e figlia, sono due gocce d’acqua. You can tell that Laura and Alessandra are mother and daughter, they’re a spitting image of each other.
Se la canta e se la suona
Literally: To sing and play it by oneself.
Meaning: To do everything alone, often in a self-centered way (with a negative connotation).
English equivalent: To be a one-man band.
Alessandro fa sempre mille cose e poi si lamenta che non ha tempo, se la canta e se la suona da solo. Alessandro always does a thousand things and then complains he has no time, he’s a one-man band.
Fare il bello e il cattivo tempo
Literally: To make the good and bad weather.
Meaning: To be an influential person, to have control over a situation and be able to make others do things.
English equivalent: To call the shots.
Quando Francesco è presente in ufficio si fa sentire, e anche quando non c’è!” – “Fa proprio il bello e il cattivo tempo eh! When Francesco is in the office, he makes his presence felt, even when he’s not there!” – “He really calls the shots, huh!
Essere alla mano
Literally: To be at hand.
Meaning: To be a straightforward, genuine, and approachable person.
English equivalent: To be down to earth.
Giulia è sempre a disposizione ed è sempre molto gentile, è proprio una ragazza alla mano. Giulia is always available and very kind, she’s such a down-to-earth girl.
Essere una ragazza acqua e sapone
Literally: To be a water and soap girl.
Meaning: A simple girl in appearance and character.
English equivalent: The girl-next-door.
Pamela è sempre composta ed educata, sembra proprio una ragazza acqua e sapone! Pamela is always composed and well-mannered, she really seems like the girl-next-door!
Fixed phrases
Si chiama Pietro e torna indietro
Literally: It’s called Pietro and it comes back.
Meaning: Used when you lend something and want it returned.
English equivalent: What goes around comes around.
Potresti ridarmi il libro che ti ho prestato? Si chiama Pietro e torna indietro! Could you give me back the book I lent you? What goes around comes around!
Il troppo stroppia
Literally: Too much spoils.
Meaning: Excess of anything is never good.
English equivalent: Too much of a good thing.
– “Ho mangiato un’intera scatola di cioccolatini e poi si lamenta di avere mal di stomaco.” – “Il troppo stroppia!” – “I ate a whole box of chocolates and now I’m complaining of a stomach ache.” – “Too much of a good thing!”
La matematica non è un’opinione
Literally: Math is not an opinion.
Meaning: Used to say something is a fact and cannot be disputed.
English equivalent: 2 + 2 = 4 (or) Facts are facts.
Durante una discussione, Anna insiste che 7×8 fa 54. Marco, sicuro del risultato corretto, le risponde: “Anna, la matematica non è un’opinione!” During a discussion, Anna insists that 7×8 equals 54. Marco, sure of the correct result, responds, “Anna, facts are facts!”
Dare un colpo al cerchio e uno alla botte
Literally: To give one blow to the circle and one to the barrel.
Meaning: To act in a way that doesn’t upset anyone, trying to please both sides.
English equivalent: To play both sides.
Luca dice di apprezzare sia l’opinione di un collega che quella del capo. Un altro collega commenta: “Stai dando un colpo al cerchio e uno alla botte! Luca says he values both a colleague’s and the boss’s opinion. Another colleague comments, “You’re playing both sides!
Prendere un abbaglio
Literally: To take a blunder.
Meaning: To misunderstand or make a mistake.
English equivalent: To be mistaken.
Mario ha visto una persona e ha pensato fosse un attore famoso, ma ha preso un abbaglio. Mario saw someone and thought it was a famous actor, but he was mistaken.
Fare a scaricabarile
Literally: To play pass-the-buck.
Meaning: When two or more people try to avoid responsibility by shifting it to someone else.
English equivalent: To pass the buck.
Quando nessuno in ufficio vuole prendersi la responsabilità di un errore, tutti iniziano a fare a scaricabarile. When no one in the office wants to take responsibility for a mistake, they all start passing the buck.
Gira e rigira
Literally: Turn and turn again.
Meaning: In the end, the result is the same.
English equivalent: All things considered or in the end.
Stiamo dicendo la stessa cosa, gira e rigira il significato è lo stesso. We’re saying the same thing, all things considered, the meaning is the same.
Tentar non nuoce
Literally: Trying doesn’t harm.
Meaning: It’s always worth trying because, at worst, nothing happens.
English equivalent: It doesn’t hurt to try or I’ve got nothing to lose!
Non ho studiato molto per questo esame, ma ho deciso di provarci lo stesso. Tentar non nuoce. I didn’t study much for this exam, but I decided to try anyway. I’ve got nothing to lose!
Meglio soli che mal accompagnati
Literally: Better alone than in bad company.
Meaning: Bad company is worse than being alone.
English equivalent: Better alone than in bad company.
Sara preferisce andare al cinema da sola piuttosto che con persone che non le piacciono. “Meglio soli che mal accompagnati,” pensa. Sara prefers to go to the movies alone rather than with people she doesn’t like. “Better alone than in bad company,” she thinks.
Chi la dura la vince
Literally: Who perseveres wins.
Meaning: Those who persist will eventually succeed.
English equivalent: Persistence pays off.
Giorgio ha studiato per mesi per un concorso difficile, e alla fine lo ha superato. “Chi la dura la vince,” dice soddisfatto. Giorgio studied for months for a tough exam, and he finally passed. “Persistence pays off,” he says with satisfaction.
Bando alle ciance
Literally: Enough with the chatter.
Meaning: Stop talking and get to action.
English equivalent: Let’s get down to business.
“Bando alle ciance,” disse Marco ai suoi amici, “iniziamo a lavorare seriamente!” “Enough talk,” Marco said to his friends, “let’s get down to business!”
Carta canta
Literally: Paper sings.
Meaning: What is written is irrefutable proof.
English equivalent: The proof is in the pudding.
Non mi credi? Ti faccio leggere i messaggi… carta canta! Don’t believe me? I’ll show you the messages… the proof is in the pudding!
E qui casca l’asino
Literally: And here the donkey falls.
Meaning: Used to point out a crucial or tricky point in a situation, often one that reveals a hidden problem or complication.
English equivalent: And here’s the catch.
Tutti gli studenti pensavano di avere la risposta giusta al quiz, ma quando è arrivata la domanda finale, nessuno sapeva rispondere. “E qui casca l’asino,” disse il professore sorridendo. All the students thought they had the right answer for the quiz, but when the final question came, no one knew the answer. “Here’s the catch,” said the professor, smiling.
O la va o la spacca
Literally: Either it goes, or it breaks.
Meaning: To approach a situation without hesitation, accepting that it will go one way or the other.
English equivalent: It’s make or break.
Domani ho l’esame, o la va o la spacca! I have the exam tomorrow, it’s make or break!