Mastering Italian idiomatic expressions is one of the things that make the difference between being an intermediate Italian learner and an advanced learner.
Italian has several idiomatic expressions and Italians usually use different Italian idiomatic expressions every day without even realizing it.
If you want to know some common Italian sentences related to colors and to animals have a look at: Ten Italian idioms about animals, and Learn Italian color idioms.
Today, you’re going to learn eight common Italian sentences with the word gioco.
1. FARE IL DOPPIO GIOCO
The first of these nine common Italian sentences with the word gioco is fare il doppio gioco. In Italian fare il doppio gioco means to deceive someone you’re supposed to cooperate with by working only for your own advantage.
Ex: Daniele ha fatto il doppio gioco con noi
Daniele double-crossed us
2. FARE IL GIOCO DI QUALCUNO
Fare il gioco di qualcuno, in Italian means to act exactly as another person wants you to, unawarely, helping him carry out his plans.
Ex: Per tutto questo tempo non hai fatto altro che fare il suo gioco
For all this time you did nothing but to play his game
3. METTERSI IN GIOCO
Mettersi in gioco is one of the most common Italian sentences with the word gioco. Mettersi in gioco means to challenge yourself to do something better or new.
Ex: Mettiti in gioco! Iscriviti alla maratona
Challenge yourself! Sign up for the marathon
4. ENTRARE IN GIOCO
The Italian expression entrare in gioco means can have several meanings. It can refer to events, objects or people and mean to step in to reach a purpose. It can also mean to enter a competition.
Ex: Sono molti I fattori che entrano in gioco e che bisogna considerare con attenzione
There are several factors that come into play and we need to consider them carefully
5. ESSERE IN GIOCO
Essere in gioco in Italian means to be in danger, to be at risk.
Ex: Per aiutarlo sono disposto a mettere la mia vita in gioco
I’m willing to put my life at stake to help him
6. PRENDERSI GIOCO DI QUALCUNO
Prendersi gioco di qualcuno has two meanings. It can mean to make fun of someone and it can also mean to trick someone.
Ex: Credevo di potermi fidare di lui e invece si è preso gioco di me
I thought I could trust him, but instead he tricked me
7. STARE AL GIOCO
Stare al gioco is an Italian expression that means to accept the conditions “imposed” by others.
Ex: Stiamo per fare uno scherzo a Francesco. Tu stai al gioco
We’re about to pull a prank on Francesco, you play along
8. UN GIOCO DA RAGAZZI
In Italian when a thing is un gioco da ragazzi, it means that that thing is very easy.
Ex: Stare su una gamba per 20 minuti è un gioco da ragazzi!
Standing on one leg for 20 minutes is child’s play!
Did you know these Italian sentences with the word gioco? Do you know some others?
Credits
Original image by pixel2013
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