Hello again guys
, here are some of the most popular Italian idioms accompanied by a short definition:
Acqua in bocca - Water in the mouth : invitation to keep a secret.
Cascare dal pero - Falling from the pear tree : to be amazed by something.
Nascere con la camicia - To be born with a shirt on: to be particularly lucky.
Fare il diavolo a quattro - Play devil’s advocate: to make extreme confusion.
Vuotare il sacco - Spill the beans: to confess.
2 Likes
Thank you!!
these are going to be extremely helpful when travelling!
Grazie mille!! Learning idioms is so helpful!
@Samoa_97 Thank you!
I love idioms and I have alo 8 more examples

in bocca al lupo
In the mouth of the wolf
Used in theatre this is the Italian, and more poetic, equivalent of break a leg. The typical response is ‘crepi il lupo’ meaning ‘may the wolf die’. Poor wolves, they get a bad rap.
un pezzo di pane
a piece of bread
If someone is un pezzo di pane in Italian you might say they’re a good egg in English.
non mi rompere le scatole
don’t break my boxes
If someone’s breaking your boxes, they’re getting on your nerves and you’re telling them to stop annoying you. It’s worth noting this is a variation of a slightly less polite idiom.
prendi lucciole per lanterne
mistaken fireflies for lanterns
If someone has mistake fireflies for lanterns they’ve confused one thing for another. You might say in English that someone’s got the wrong end of the stick.
hai voluto la bicicletta
you wanted the bicycle
Or in full: you wanted the bike, now get on and ride it. A more active version of the English ‘you made your bed, now lie in it’ – i.e. you made the choice now live with the consequences.
non ho peli sulla lingua
I have no hair on my tongue
One of the more unappetising idioms; if you have no hair on your tongue you’re speaking frankly.
nella botte piccola, c’è il vino buono
in the small cask/barrel, there is good wine
Just like the English ‘good things come in small packages’ only with added wine, which is no bad thing.
1 Like