Seven advanced Italian expressions with the verb fare

If you’ve started to learn Italian, you’ve surely noticed that there are really many advanced Italian expressions composed of the verb fare.

So, today you’re going to learn seven advanced Italian expressions with the verb fare.

Let’s start!

1. Fare il filo

Fare il filo, literally to make the thread, is an informal Italian expression that means to court.

Examples:

a. Paolo fa il filo a Elena.

Paolo is courting Elena.

b. Ma secondo te Giulia mi sta facendo il filo?

Did you think Giulia is courting me?

2. Fare il pelo e il contropelo

This Italian expression has two meanings. In its standard meaning it means to pass the razor in all directions of the skin, so as to leave it perfectly smooth. Figuratively, it means to harshly criticize someone or something.

Examples:

c. Ieri mi sono rasato con calma; ho fatto il pelo e il contropelo.

Yesterday I shaved calmly; I shaved both with the grain and against it.

d. Il giornalista Renato Gugliardetti ha fatto il pelo e il contropelo al sindaco a seguito delle sue ultime incongruenti affermazioni.

Journalist Renato Gugliardetti harshly criticized the mayor because of his latest incongruent statements.

3. Fai da te – faidatè

The Italian expression fai date or faidatè indicates a person who doesn’t make use of specialized services or facilities but that organizes or does everything on its own.

Examples:

e. Quando si tratta di curarsi è meglio non ricorrere al fai da tè ma rivolgersi a un medico.

When it comes to treatment, it is best not to resort to DIY but to seek medical advice.

f. I viaggi fai da te sono aumentati molto negli ultimi anni.

Do-it-yourself travel has increased a lot in recent years.

4. Fare la fila

Among the many advanced Italian expressions with the verb fare, fare la fila is a must-to-know. This Italian expression means to wait in line with others for their turn to come, especially to get a service or benefit. For example, to stand in line at the counter.

Examples:

g. Oggi in posta ho fatto la fila di due ore per spedire un pacco. Incredibile!

I stood in line for two hours at the post office today to mail a package. Unbelievable!

h. E’ cosa risaputa che gli italiani non sappiano fare la fila in aeroporto.

It is a well-known fact that Italians don’t know how to wait in line at the airport.

5. Fare storie

Fare storie means to raise objections, to make resistance.

Examples:

i. Hai fame? E allora mangia senza fare troppe storie!

Are you hungry? Then eat without making a fuss!

l. Ieri il mio capo ha fatto un sacco di storie perché sono arrivata 5 minuti in ritardo alla riunione.

Yesterday my boss made a lot of fuss because I was 5 minutes late to the meeting.

6. Fare caso

Fare caso is an Italian expression used to say pay attention to something. This expression is always followed by the preposition a.

m. Hai fatto caso che hanno aumentato i prezzi nei supermercati?

Have you noticed that they have raised prices in supermarkets?

n. La prossima volta, magari fai caso ai cartelli, così non prendi un’altra multa!

Next time, maybe, pay attention to the signs so you don’t get another fine!

7. Fare senso

Fare senso is an expression used to say that something gives you a strong and unpleasant impression (similar to disgust or repugnance) or psychic disturbance in general.

Examples:

o. Il sangue mi fa senso.

Blood makes me sick.

p. Ad Antonio fa senso anche il solo pensiero di mangiare insetti.

Antonio is disgusted by even the thought of eating insects.

Did you already know these seven advanced Italian expressions? What’s your favourite?

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Credits

Original image by RobinHiggins