41 Italian Idioms In English
It’s time to embrace Italian idioms and the country’s distinctive local dialect.
Phrases with a metaphorical sense often recognized by native speakers are referred to as idioms or idiomatic expressions.
This interpretation differs from the literal interpretation of each idiom’s parts.
Idioms don’t always mean what they say, in other words.
Idioms frequently represent societal norms, customs, and values.
To help you get started on this critical aspect of Italian fluency, this article will introduce you to 41 Italian idioms.
41 Italian Idioms
In The Mouth Of The Wolf
- Italian : In bocca al lupo
- Meaning: The phrase “break a leg” is equal to this. Instead of “Buona fortuna,” use this (Good luck). It’s a common belief in Italy that wishing someone good luck can bring them terrible luck.
Not To Have Hair On Your Tongue
- Italian : Non avere peli sulla lingua
- Meaning: Despite the potential of hurting or insulting someone, this Italian expression indicates to be direct and speak one’s thoughts. You’re not mincing words, to put it briefly. You only state the imperative.
Forbidden Fruit Is Always The Sweetest
- Itlaian : i frutti proibiti sono i più dolci
- Meaning: when something you are unable to own seems more appealing than all other options. The phrase reminds us how we continue to be lured to off-limits things.
Making A Mustache Of It
- Italian: farsene un baffo”
- Meaning: Italy is home to several mustaches in addition to cheese, wine, and clothing. In contrast, a mustache is seen as being essentially unimportant in Italy. Therefore, this phrase conveys the idea that someone is making something seemingly insignificant.
To Do The Horns
- Italian: Fare le corna
- Meaning: to deceive someone
Good As Bread
- Italian: Buono come il pane
- Meaning: used to describe someone having a pure heart.
Neighbor’s Grass Is Always Greener
- Italian: L’erba del vicino è sempre più verde
- Meaning: One often thinks that other people’s situations are better than their own, although this is not always the case.
Love Rules Without Rules
- Italian: ’amore domina senza regole
- Meaning: pursuing love has no restrictions.
Happens At The Bean
- Italian: Capita a fagiolo
- Meaning: utilized when an event occurs at the perfect time.
To Hang Up One’s Hat
- Italian: Attaccare il cappello
- Meaning: to stop working or retiring from something
To Pull Down One’s Pants
- Italian: Calare le brache
- Meaning: Give up or withdraw.
Dog Does Not Eat Dog
- Italian: Cane non mangia cane
- Meaning: thieves have a sense of honor.
To Be Between The Anvil And The Hammer
- Italian: Trovarsi fra l’incudine e il martello
- Meaning: This depicts a circumstance when you are given two equally unpleasant options or where you are “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” The phrase “between a rock and a hard place” might be used in English.
The Dress Does Not Make The Monk
- Italian: L’abito non fa il monaco
- Meaning: We shouldn’t evaluate someone based just on their clothing choices.
Fallen From The Clouds
- Italian: Caduto dalle nuvole
- Meaning: being completely caught off guard, generally by unwelcome news.
It Comes Out As It Comes Out
- Italian: Alla come viene, viene
- Meaning: It is common to say “it is what it is” when something or a situation isn’t ideal, but there doesn’t appear to be much that can be done to change it.
A Big Piece
- Italian: Un pezzo grosso
- Meaning: used to denote a powerful or influential person.
To Drown In A Glass Of Water
- Italian: Affogare in un bicchier d’acqua
- Meaning: used to describe someone who is easily daunted by minor issues in life
You Wanted The Bike? Now You’ve Got To Ride It!
- Italian: Hai voluto la bicicletta? E adesso pedala!
- Meaning: used when a person refuses to own up to their mistakes.
Spit Out The Toad
- Italian: Sputi il rospo
- Meaning: to finally come clean or reveal a secret you’ve been holding back.
Arms Stole From Agricultural Work
- Italian: Braccia rubate all’agricoltura
- Meaning: This usually refers to someone acting intelligently, deftly, or cleverly while they have no idea what they are doing.
Without Hair On His Tongue
- Italian: Non avere peli sulla lingua
- Meaning: used when you want someone’s brutally honest opinion, even if you are afraid you won’t like the response
To Break The Ice
- Italian: Rompere il ghiaccio
- Meaning: removing the awkwardness that occasionally arises when strangers are introduced.
To Have Seven Lives Like Cats
- Italian: Avere sette vite come i gatti
- Meaning: to be immune to disease or danger.
A Snake That Bites Its Own Tail
- Italian: Il serpente che si morde la coda
- Meaning: You become caught in a vicious cycle and find yourself right back where you started.
There Is No Tripe For Cats
- Italian: Non c’è trippa per gatti
- Meaning: You have little possibility of achieving your goals as a result.
Reheated Soup
- Italian: Minestra riscaldata
- Meaning: condition of repairing a strained relationship. It just never repeats itself. The phrase may describe the link between friends, business colleagues, etc., and romantic partners.
Every Death Of A Pope
- Italian: Ogni morte di papa
- Meaning: not frequently occurring item
To Extreme Evils, Extreme Remedies
- Italian: A mali estremi, estremi rimedi
- Meaning: being absent from a meeting with a buddy or having someone off on a date.
Has A Lot Of Salt In His Gourd
- Italian: Ha molto sale in zucca
- Meaning: refers to a person with a good head—intelligent and wise.
Fits You Like A Paintbrush
- Italian: Ti sta a pennello
- Meaning: Whatever you’re trying on fits you flawlessly, including the dress. (It seems painted onto your body because it fits you well.)
To Make Too Many Acts In A Comedy
- Italian: Fare troppi atti in commedia
- Meaning: Someone is attempting to do too much at once.
Spit The Toad
- Italian: Sputa il rospo
- Meaning: Talk up. You might picture letting a toad out of your mouth and allowing it to freely speak about the wonders and beauties of where it came from to help you remember it.
I Don’t See The Hour
- Italian: Non vedo l’ora
- Meaning: You really can’t wait to wait for anything. From enthusiasm, it is impossible to think or see clearly.
To Slap Someone In The Face With A Fish
- Italian: Prendere qualcuno a pesci in faccia.
- Meaning: to abuse someone, to treat them like trash.
To Take The Ball At The Bounce
- Italian: Prendere la palla al balzo
- Meaning:to take advantage of the chance or the time.
To Pull The Water To Your Mill
- Italian: Tirare l’acqua al proprio mulino
- Meaning: means to behave selfishly and only think about one’s wants; to act in one’s interest; to serve one’s interests.
All The Knots Come To The Comb
- Italian: Tutti i nodi vengono al pettine
- Meaning: Chickens return to the coop.
Climbing On Mirrors
- Italian: Arrampicarsi sugli specchi
- MeaningIt is used when someone makes a last-ditch effort to solve an issue or attempts to persuade you that they are correct.
To Be In Seventh Heaven
- Italian: Essere al settimo cielo
- Meaning: feel great joy, delight, and happiness.
To Throw The Hoe On Your Own Feet
- Italian: Tirarsi la zappa sui piedi
- Meaning: Make your plans or advance by foolish behavior.