Introduction
Idiomatic expressions are an essential part of mastering any language. They add color, nuance, and authenticity to communication, helping speakers sound more native and fluent. In Italian, idioms are deeply rooted in culture and everyday life, making them invaluable tools for effective expression.
Common Idiomatic Expressions
1. "Avere le mani bucate"
- Literal Translation: To have holes in one’s hands
- Meaning: To be a big spender or someone who can’t save money.
- Example: Mio fratello ha le mani bucate; spende tutto ciò che guadagna.
- (My brother is a big spender; he spends everything he earns.)
2. "In bocca al lupo"
- Literal Translation: Into the wolf’s mouth
- Meaning: Good luck (similar to "Break a leg")
- Example: In bocca al lupo per il tuo esame di domani!
- (Good luck with your exam tomorrow!)
3. "Prendere il toro per le corna"
- Literal Translation: To take the bull by the horns
- Meaning: To confront a difficult situation directly.
- Example: Devi prendere il toro per le corna e affrontare il problema.
- (You need to take the bull by the horns and face the problem.)
4. "Fare orecchie da mercante"
- Literal Translation: To make merchant’s ears
- Meaning: To pretend not to hear or ignore something.
- Example: Non fare orecchie da mercante quando ti parlo!
- (Don’t pretend not to hear when I’m talking to you!)
5. "Essere in alto mare"
- Literal Translation: To be in the open sea
- Meaning: To be far from completing something or in the middle of a difficult task.
- Example: Siamo ancora in alto mare con il progetto.
- (We are still far from finishing the project.)
6. "Mettere il carro davanti ai buoi"
- Literal Translation: To put the cart before the oxen
- Meaning: To do things in the wrong order or to rush ahead.
- Example: Non mettere il carro davanti ai buoi; finisci prima il lavoro.
- (Don’t put the cart before the horse; finish the work first.)
7. "Non è tutto oro quello che luccica"
- Literal Translation: Not all that glitters is gold
- Meaning: Appearances can be deceiving.
- Example: Non fidarti di quel venditore; non è tutto oro quello che luccica.
- (Don’t trust that salesman; not everything that glitters is gold.)
8. "Cadere dalle nuvole"
- Literal Translation: To fall from the clouds
- Meaning: To be completely surprised or caught off guard.
- Example: Sono caduto dalle nuvole quando ho sentito la notizia.
- (I was completely surprised when I heard the news.)
9. "Andare a letto con le galline"
- Literal Translation: To go to bed with the chickens
- Meaning: To go to bed very early.
- Example: Mio nonno va sempre a letto con le galline.
- (My grandfather always goes to bed very early.)
10. "Essere al verde"
- Literal Translation: To be at the green
- Meaning: To be broke or out of money.
- Example: Non posso venire al ristorante; sono al verde.
- (I can’t come to the restaurant; I’m broke.)
Idioms by Category
Daily Life
| Expression | Translation | Meaning |
|---|
| "Avere il dente avvelenato" | To have a poisoned tooth | To hold a grudge |
| "Avere la coda di paglia" | To have a straw tail | To be guilty or sensitive about something |
| "Avere la luna storta" | To have a crooked moon | To be in a bad mood |
| "Avere un diavolo per capello" | To have a devil for a hair | To be very angry |
| "Essere come il prezzemolo" | To be like parsley | To be everywhere |
| "Essere in un bivio" | To be at a fork in the road | To face a critical decision |
| "Essere sulla stessa barca" | To be in the same boat | To share the same problem or situation |
| "Far vedere i sorci verdi" | To show green mice | To give someone a hard time |
| "Fare una scenata" | To make a scene | To create a dramatic outburst |
| "Non avere peli sulla lingua" | To have no hair on the tongue | To be blunt or speak candidly |
Work and Business
| Expression | Translation | Meaning |
|---|
| "Avere una marcia in più" | To have an extra gear | To have an advantage or edge |
| "Dare filo da torcere" | To give twisted thread | To make things difficult for someone |
| "Essere una gatta da pelare" | To be a cat to skin | To be a tricky problem |
| "Lavorare come un matto" | To work like a madman | To work very hard |
| "Mettere in chiaro le cose" | To make things clear | To clarify a situation |
| "Mettere le mani avanti" | To put hands forward | To make excuses or prepare for blame |
| "Non fare una piega" | To not make a fold | To remain unbothered or unchanged |
| "Tirare la cinghia" | To tighten the belt | To economize or save money |
| "Tirare le fila" | To pull the strings | To oversee or control a situation |
| "Vedere che aria tira" | To see what air blows | To gauge the situation |
Relationships
| Expression | Translation | Meaning |
|---|
| "Andare d’accordo come cane e gatto" | To get along like cat and dog | To constantly fight or disagree |
| "Attaccare bottone" | To attach a button | To start a long or boring conversation |
| "Essere il braccio destro" | To be the right arm | To be someone's close assistant |
| "Essere in cattive acque" | To be in bad waters | To be in trouble |
| "Girare il coltello nella piaga" | To turn the knife in the wound | To make a situation worse |
| "Mettere qualcuno in riga" | To put someone in line | To discipline or straighten someone out |
| "Parlare a nuora perché suocera intenda" | To speak to the daughter-in-law so the mother-in-law understands | To give an indirect message |
| "Tagliare i ponti" | To cut bridges | To end a relationship |
| "Tirare acqua al proprio mulino" | To pull water to one’s own mill | To act in one’s own interest |
| "Volere la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca" | To want the barrel full and the wife drunk | To want to have it both ways |
Emotions and Feelings
| Expression | Translation | Meaning |
|---|
| "Avere il cuore in gola" | To have the heart in the throat | To be very anxious or scared |
| "Avere la testa fra le nuvole" | To have the head in the clouds | To be daydreaming or distracted |
| "Avere le farfalle nello stomaco" | To have butterflies in the stomach | To be nervous or excited |
| "Essere alle stelle" | To be among the stars | To be extremely happy |
| "Essere al settimo cielo" | To be in seventh heaven | To be overjoyed |
| "Essere fuori di sé" | To be out of oneself | To be very upset or angry |
| "Essere in una botte di ferro" | To be in an iron barrel | To be in a very safe or secure position |
| "Non stare più nella pelle" | To not stay in the skin | To be extremely excited or impatient |
| "Prendere qualcosa alla leggera" | To take something lightly | To not take something seriously |
| "Sentirsi un pesce fuor d’acqua" | To feel like a fish out of water | To feel out of place |
Miscellaneous
| Expression | Translation | Meaning |
|---|
| "A caval donato non si guarda in bocca" | Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth | Don’t criticize a gift |
| "Acqua in bocca" | Water in the mouth | Keep it a secret |
| "Avere la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca" | To have the barrel full and the wife drunk | To want to have it both ways |
| "Colpire nel segno" | To hit the mark | To be exactly right |
| "Essere al corrente" | To be in the current | To be informed |
| "Fare il passo più lungo della gamba" | To take a step longer than the leg | To overreach |
| "Lavarsene le mani" | To wash one’s hands of it | To refuse responsibility |
| "Morto un papa se ne fa un altro" | When one pope dies, another is made | No one is irreplaceable |
| "Prendere due piccioni con una fava" | To kill two birds with one stone | To achieve two things at once |
| "Trovare il pelo nell’uovo" | To find the hair in the egg | To nitpick or find fault unnecessarily |
Tips for Using Idiomatic Expressions
- Context is Key: Ensure the idiom fits the situation; misuse can lead to confusion.
- Listen and Learn: Pay attention to how native speakers use idioms in conversation.
- Practice Regularly: Incorporate idioms into daily conversations to make them second nature.
- Cultural Awareness: Some idioms may have cultural nuances or be specific to certain regions.
- Avoid Overuse: While idioms enrich language, overusing them can sound unnatural.
By incorporating these expressions into your Italian, you'll not only enhance your fluency but also connect more deeply with native speakers.
