Italian idioms/expressions add color and humor to everyday conversations. Many of these expressions are deeply rooted in culture and tradition, making them unique yet often difficult to translate directly. However, by understanding their meaning and context, we can find English equivalents that capture their essence. Here are some fun and widely used Italian idioms, along with their meanings and closest English counterparts.
1. Avere degli altarini – To have little altars
This phrase refers to someone having secrets or hidden truths that might eventually come to light. It suggests that a person has something they are not openly sharing. English equivalent: Skeletons in the closet.
Example: Non fidarti troppo di lui, ha degli altarini = Don’t trust him too much; he has skeletons in the closet.
2. Essere un salame – To be a salami
One of the many informal Italian idioms/expressions is “essere un salame”. This humorous phrase is used to describe someone who is naive, clumsy, or not very smart. English equivalent: To be a dummy / To be a klutz.
Example: Hai lasciato le chiavi dentro la macchina? Sei proprio un salame! = You left the keys inside the car? You’re such a dummy!
3. Attaccare bottone – To sew a button on
This Italian phrase is used when someone starts a conversation with another person, often a stranger. English equivalent: To chat someone up.
Example: In treno ha attaccato bottone con tutti i passeggeri! = On the train, he chatted up all the passengers!
4. Essere in alto mare – To be in the high sea
Another one of the many Italian idioms/expressions is “essere in alto mare”. This expression refers to being far from completing a task or not even close to achieving something. English equivalent: To be far from finished.
Example: L’esame è domani e non ho ancora studiato, sono in alto mare! = The exam is tomorrow, and I haven’t studied yet. I’m far from finished!
5. Prendere due piccioni con una fava – To catch two pigeons with one bean
This Italian idiom describes accomplishing two things at once with a single effort. English equivalent: To kill two birds with one stone.
Example: Facendo la spesa mentre prendo appuntamento col medico, prendo due piccioni con una fava. = By doing the shopping while making a doctor’s appointment, I kill two birds with one stone.
6. Rimanere di stucco – To remain like stucco
This phrase means being completely astonished or shocked by something. English equivalent: To be stunned / To be flabbergasted.
Example: Quando gli hanno detto la verità, è rimasto di stucco! = When they told him the truth, he was stunned!
7. Essere una goccia nel mare – To be a drop in the sea
This idiom highlights the insignificance of something when compared to a much larger issue. English equivalent: A drop in the ocean.
Example: Quello che possiamo fare per aiutare è solo una goccia nel mare. = What we can do to help is just a drop in the ocean.
8. Non avere peli sulla lingua – To have no hair on the tongue
This one is one of my favourite Italian idioms/expressions. It means speaking very openly and bluntly without worrying about offending others. English equivalent: To be outspoken / To not mince words.
Example: Mia nonna dice sempre quello che pensa, non ha peli sulla lingua! = My grandma always says what she thinks; she doesn’t mince words!
9. Avere un diavolo per capello – To have a devil for each hair
This means being extremely angry or irritated. English equivalent: To be furious / To be hopping mad.
Example: Quando gli hanno detto che il progetto era stato cancellato, aveva un diavolo per capello! = When they told him the project was canceled, he was furious!
10. Mangiare la foglia – To eat the leaf
This phrase refers to someone figuring something out or realizing they are being deceived. English equivalent: To catch on / To see through something.
Example: Pensavi di ingannarlo, ma ha mangiato subito la foglia! = You thought you could trick him, but he caught on immediately!
Conclusion
Italian idioms/expressions offer a fascinating insight into the country’s culture and way of thinking. While some expressions have direct English equivalents, others are more unique, adding a touch of humor and vivid imagery. Learning these idioms not only helps in understanding Italian conversations but also makes speaking the language much more fun and engaging!
Do you know any other Italian idioms? Share them in the comments below!
Credits
Original image by Copilot
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