Italian idioms

Funny idioms about life

Here’s a list of Italian idioms about life. We’ve also included an insightful explanation for each idiom.

If you ever break up with someone and ask for advice from an Italian mamma or nonna (and believe me, Italian moms and grandmas are always the wisest), you will hear a phrase that goes like this: “Chiodo scaccia chiodo!”

In other words: You’ll forget about this rusty, nasty, bad nail because very soon a new shiny one will replace it!

This encouragement is normally used in painful love affairs but can be leveled at anybody who’s trying to come to terms with something (a job, a friend who’s not calling back, a fight).

Aren’t Italian idioms so versatile?

The fact that it has an English equivalent suggests that this sentiment is part of human nature, a universal expression of discontent.

Yes, Italians feel it, too, the envy and longing for what others have.

Doesn’t matter that they have some of the world’s most mouth-watering food, most beautiful art, and most scenic spots—they sometimes feel they’re missing out, just like everyone else.

Now that we’re talking about food, have you ever noticed that no matter what the doctor says, that last piece of cake is practically impossible to resist?

It seems that the more you’re prohibited from having something, the more that something becomes more appealing than ever.

You want what you can’t have, and “I frutti proibiti sono i più dolci” is the Italian recognition of this basic human irony.

Some parents even use this on their kids. Employing reverse psychology, they say “Don’t,” when they actually are thinking, “Go ahead.”

I remember one couple who forbid their teenager from going to her grandma’s house. (“I forbid you to visit that old lady. You are never to set foot in her house again!”)

Human nature works like magic and the teen found herself mysteriously gravitating towards grandma’s house just to watch TV.

It was never on her radar before. I frutti proibiti sono i più dolci.

Everyone knows that “clothes don’t make the man.” We shouldn’t judge anybody by looks, we shouldn’t “judge a book by its cover.”

But if that man is covered in fine Italian leather and smells like Armani in the morning, we really can’t help but judge away—albeit favorably.

Here’s a similar one:

This also means that you should not judge something or someone based only on their appearance.

It means you can’t judge someone by their appearance.

Or “misery does love company”. This is a conclusion that has been borne out in psychological research.

Such is life. It doesn’t matter which hemisphere on earth you live in. Soon enough, you’ll embody your folks’ spirits—hovering over others, asking them if they’ve eaten, just like Mom.

Or fixing light bulbs even when they’re working perfectly fine, just like, well, Mom.

Everything contributes something to the whole—whether it be a lone euro tossed into a donation basket, 10 minutes of quality time spent with your young daughter, or a simple smile given to the old lady who rings up your groceries…

Imagine making soup. You’ve got a plethora of vegetables ready to be dunked into the water. You’ve got pinches of different spices and ingredients set to add a distinct flavor.

Every little thing you have contributes to the whole. You don’t need a whole lot, just little pinches of many things, and you get exquisite soup.

This Italian idiom means that one can better judge people’s intentions by what they do rather than what they say.

This Italian idiom means that being overly inquisitive, or sticking your nose in something can lead you into an unpleasant situation.

This is said to advise someone not to refuse something that is being freely offered.

It is said to emphasize that you cannot depend on something happening before it has happened.

This means a child usually has a similar character or similar qualities to his or her parents.

This expression means that no one is irreplaceable, not even the Pope (who is the highest authority of the Catholic church).

It’s better to risk than to lose the opportunity. It also means that you need to work hard to achieve good results.

Every lost opportunity or disappointment (represented by the door) represents the starting points for even bigger achievements (represented by the main door, which is bigger).

There are many Italian idioms about animals. Here’s a selection and an explanation for each:

There are different theories about the origin of this idiom.

Some say it probably has its origins in a hunting expression.

Others think the wolf reference may have come from the mythical twin founders of Rome, Romulus, and Remus, who, as the story goes, were suckled and cared for by a she-wolf.

So being “in the mouth of the wolf” may not be a bad thing after all.

Originally used in opera and theatre to wish a performer good luck prior to a performance, it’s used to wish good luck to someone, especially before an important event (such as a job interview, match, or exam).

In English, we say, “break a leg” to actors and musicians before they brave the stage to perform.

The response to “in bocca al lupo” should never be “grazie”. Instead, you should say “crepi il lupo” (may the wolf die) or just “crepi!” for short.

Of course, you can wish someone “buona fortuna“ (good luck), but this idiomatic form is much more common.

Actually, there’s an Italian superstition that if you wish somebody “buona fortuna“, bad things will happen instead.

So, it’s always better to just say “in bocca al lupo!“.

It means that a person’s character, especially if it is bad, will not change, even if they pretend that it will.

This is just one of many Italian idioms that use animals to describe the character of something or someone. Occasionally, Italian and English use the same animal in their idioms but not always.

A person who acts stupidly, has low intelligence, or has poor judgment is said to have a hen’s brain.

This Italian expression comes from the belief that the bigger the size of the brain, the more intelligent the animal is.

And judging from the size of its head, one can clearly say that a hen (or bird) does have a small brain animating the whole apparatus, and is therefore by this standard not too bright.

And the person who acts stupidly (like the thief who posts his loot on Facebook), is said to possess a brain the size of a bird.

A recent study, however, has revealed that birds’ brains are actually more complex and robust than formerly believed. An apology to all the feathered and winged members of the animal kingdom is probably in order.

Unlike most of the other idioms on this list, which basically agree with their English counterparts, this one is the complete opposite and a repudiation of the line “It’s a dog-eat-dog world.”

The Italian version holds a more optimistic view of the world. Yes, there’s “honor among thieves.”

There’s a line that cannot be crossed, there’s a code of conduct that governs even the most sinister of people.

If even the dogs know their limits and don’t destroy their own kind, how much more is this true with humans? For example, a corrupt politician won’t tell on his equally corrupt comrade.

A whole office staff will stick up for a colleague in trouble. A student won’t betray a classmate for the good graces of a teacher.

But as you may know, sometimes, humans prove different from their canine friends. An employee, student, or even a friend can betray another.

In these situations, the appropriate idiom then becomes “Cane mangia cane” (Dog eats dog).

It means to be very fit and perfectly healthy. This Italian idiom originated in ancient times when people believed that fish could not fall ill.

Because of the natural selection, it is rarer to observe sick fish, and their symptoms might not be as clear as other animals.

To make a mistake, or to buy something worthless for a big sum. This Italian idiom originates from fishermen: while fishing, it can happen that a crab gets hooked by the bait.

It will then start to strongly struggle, so that the fisherman would believe that they have caught a big prey, whilst it would be nothing more than a crab.

If you hear an Italian talking about horses and battles, don’t be scared. We are not in a Game of Thrones episode. Relax. We’re just bragging a little about our skills.

After all, isn’t the battle horse the fittest, strongest, leanest one, the one you trust to save your life?

Then, believe me, having the possibility to see other people’s battle horse is certainly a good thing.

This phrase is used to indicate someone’s forte (another Italian word, yeah!), and can be said in every context.

If you’re not into horses, you could also use punta di diamante (“the sharp end of the diamond”).

This means “speak up.” To remember it, you could imagine releasing a toad from your mouth and letting it freely speak about the beauty and wonders from whence it came.

Have you ever seen a white fly?

Exactly.

Black fleece is a recessive gene in sheep, so it’s rarer to see in a flock, and in the 17th and 18th black wool was considered commercially undesirable because it could not be dyed.

Therefore this Italian idiom indicates someone different from the main crowd, or with different characteristics than its original group/family.

The same concept is illustrated in some other languages by the phrase “white crow”.

To know a situation very well and what to expect from it. It can also mean that you know how a person thinks and how they will act.

Ever tried showing a toddler he’s not building his Legos right?

You know what happens? He defiantly snatches the blocks from your hand, as if saying, “Leave me alone! I know what I’m doing. I can handle this.”

“Conosco i miei polli” is said in that same spirit.

So if Italians want to express something like, “I know what I’m talking about,” or “I know who I’m dealing with,” or “This is right up my alley,” they utter this idiom with an air of quiet confidence.

Here are some examples of animal-related idioms, including their English equivalents and what they commonly refer to in Italian:

Here’s a list of the most common idiomatic expressions with fare (to do):

Notice that most of the idiomatic expressions with avere (or its shortened version, aver) are translated with the verb to be in English.

Here’s a list of the most common idiomatic expressions with essere (to be) and andare (to go).

In English, you can feel blue (sad); a day or mood can be gray (depressing, overwhelmed); and humor and films can be black (sardonic).

In Italian, colors aren’t just everyday adjectives; they also appear in idioms to express emotions, fears, feelings, and passions.

Colors charge Italian idioms with poetic nuance.

Here are some Italian idioms with colors:

Expressions like cronaca rosa (gossip columns), romanzo giallo (mystery novel), avere una fifa blu(to be filled with terror), dama bianca (the spectre of a woman[folklore has it that her appearance is an omen of death]), and anima nera ([to have] a wicked soul) are common in Italian.

Colors also create the Italian flag, which is called il tricolore (three-colors) because it’s green, white, and red.

Any association of green, white, and red evoke the tricolore for Italians, so much so that these three hues have lost their function as adjectives and gained that of national symbols.

Here are a few more idiomatic expressions with colors:

When a photo isn’t a colori (in color), it’s in bianco e nero (white and black) in the Italian language, not in black and whiteas in the English language!

Despite the use of colors in so many Italian idioms, don’t forget that colors are descriptors and that, as with every adjective in the Italian language, they agree in gender and number with the noun they describe:

Unlike in the English language, colors usually follow nouns in the Italian language: Indosso una gonna near e un giaccone verde (I am wearing a black skirt and a green jacket).

Most of the colors are adjectives ending in -o, -a, (-i, -e in the plural forms), some end in -e (-i in the plural form), while others remain unchanged in gender and number:

Here are some random Italian idioms:

Speaking of compliments, if you hear this one in one of Italy’s premier fashion stores, like Valentino, Versace, Prada, Armani or Dolce & Gabbana, it means the person assisting you is working on commission.

Seriously though, it means the dress or whatever it is you’re trying on fits you perfectly. It fits you so perfectly it looks like it’s been painted onto your body.

There are usually just three acts in a standard play. To have too many acts in a comedy means someone is trying to accomplish too many things at once.

In English, you could say the person is “wearing too many hats” or has “hands/fingers in too many pies.”

A witty turn of phrase is made so much tighter with rhyme and that’s why in another Italian idiom, “Si chiama Pietro e torna indietro”, Pietro is the name used.

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Because it rhymes with “indietro” (back). The idiom wouldn’t have the same punch if, say, “Gary” were the name used!

This idiomatic expression literally means “its name is Pietro and it comes back,” and is used to tell a friend that the thing they’re about to borrow should be returned.

To drown in a glass of water is to be easily overwhelmed with little problems.

For example, a not-so-bright fellow running around in circles trying to solve a simple arithmetic problem, or a little girl who wails like it’s the end of the world because she lost her favorite hairpin, could be said to be drowning in a glass of water.

This Italian expression isn’t used to describe someone who’s particularly attentive to oral hygiene. No, nothing to do with that.

People “without hair on their tongue” are not afraid to be too honest, even if they run the risk of offending someone; there are no filters between brain and tongue.

In other words, it means to be straightforward and speak one’s mind, regardless of the possibility of upsetting or insulting someone.

In short, you’re not mincing any words. You simply say what needs to be heard. Period.

Here’s an example sentence:

This happens when you’re left with a bad choice alongside another equally horrible option—like a lazy teenager made to choose between cleaning his car or cleaning his room.

Italy produces some of the world’s finest bicycles. And Bianchi, the world’s first bicycle company, established in the 1880s, is still churning out two-wheelers today.

Italy has embraced its biking culture, with color-coded bike lanes, large bike parking spaces, and prevalent bike-sharing programs.

It’s no wonder that the language has reflected this love affair with the bicycle in one of its idioms.

“You’ve made your bed, now lie in it” is its closest equivalent English idiom.

Both have to do with gracefully facing the consequences of one’s actions or decisions.

“Hai voluto la bicicletta? Allora, pedala!” is often remarked to a person whining about a state of affairs that they brought upon themselves.

You married the wrong girl?

You failed the final exam?

You lost everything gambling?

It’s your own doing. Deal with it!

Here are some more Italian idioms:

We all have that uncle. You know the one. He always comes around for the holidays, but never brings you a present, always promising to next year.

He never picks up the check because the bill always curiously arrives when he’s in the restroom.

“Avere le braccine corte” doesn’t refer to the T-rex, whose arms were literally short.

The expression refers to a cheap person who never seems to have the arm length or strength to reach for his wallet.

This is a rather painful idiom that refers to someone cheating on someone else.

The offending party may be evil and deserve to wear the “horns,” but in Italian tradition, the one wearing the “horns” is actually the victim, or the party being cheated on.

So to be “cornuto” means your partner is cheating on you. The expression usually comes with a hand gesture for which the index finger and the pinky are held up, like during rock concerts.

Probably one of the biggest insults you can hurl an Italian is to say that he’s “cornuto” /she’s a “cornuta“.

In reality, though, the expression doesn’t always mean that somebody is being cheated on.

In fact, it’s often used just to rile up, say, somebody driving a beat-up Vespa who suddenly cut you off.

Or a football referee perceived to be calling the game for the other team.

So if you just want to mess somebody up, this idiom and its corresponding hand gesture would be the way to go. Just don’t expect an Italian stallion to take it sitting down.

This means you just absolutely cannot wait for something. You can’t think or see straight from excitement.

Be it your Italian vacation, your Italian girlfriend coming for a visit, or that Italian cheese recipe bubbling in the oven.

This is a (strong but) widely-used Italian expression that could be translated as “Dang!” or “Sucks!”

Use it to express annoyance or irritation at a situation or person. Maybe the Italian waiter always brings you the wrong food (maybe because you didn’t roll your R’s correctly when you ordered).

You could whisper “Che palle!” while being served. Just make sure they don’t hear you since it might sound rude.

(Seriously, though, it’s best to be courteous and gracious whenever you visit other countries.)

If you are at least a little bit familiar with Italian body language, you will immediately understand why this expression has a negative connotation for us: do you realize how frustrating it is for Italians to stay still without frantically gesticulating to express ourselves?

This Italian idiom could address someone who’s doing nothing while everyone else is working:

You can also use this Italian idiom to highlight people’s poor manners if they were supposed to bring something (a gift or some food, for example) but didn’t, but came holding their own hands instead of holding something nice.

The weather is one of our favorite topics for small talk and our mood tends to drop when the sun isn’t shining: take those two things, put them together, and you’ll probably understand why there are so many Italian idioms related to weather.

Ending a discussion with non ci piove means you’re very confident of your closing line and that what you’re saying is so conclusive that it can’t possibly be up for further discussion.

On the topic of rain and weather, here’s another Italian expression that I often use to describe a situation — one usually unfair or paradoxical — that will never change.

For example, when someone who’s already insanely rich wins the lottery, or someone who’s very unlucky receives bad news.

As you can see there are many Italian idioms concerning the weather. Let’s stay in this humid micro-climate for a little while longer.

In Italy, we love gossiping — non ci piove! We are also very careful not to reveal the source of the leak, however: nobody wants to be blamed for talking about other people’s business.

Every time we want to say something we shouldn’t reveal, we always make sure our gossip partner isn’t going to blow our cover.

Acqua in bocca (keep the water in your mouth) is what we usually say as a warning.

This is what happens when someone is not able to… keep the water in his mouth! Was it really that difficult to swallow a tiny chickpea? Why did you let it out?!?

I’m very possessive of my books, and I could become your worst nightmare if you decide to borrow one from me.

Don’t be surprised if, right before giving away one of my paper-based offspring, I warn you with a, “You remember his name, right? Pietro! Very good.”

This trick works in the Italian language because of the rhyme Pietro-indietro.

If I had to translate it in English (and I’ll do it… “non ci piove!”), I would probably say, “Its name is Jack and it has to come back!”

It is Italian idioms like this one that I truly adore.

Is there anything that better describes the look and the mood of someone furious? This person is not simply as angry as a demon, nor does this person simply have one demon sitting on his shoulder.

To explain this amount of rage, one must involve a horde of nasty demons ready to whisper bad advice and evil things into your ears. How many? As many as you have hairs on your head!

And now, imagine the scene and tell me if you can find a better expression!

Religion, as you probably know, is a big deal in Italy — my grandma still tells me stories about being terrified by Sunday sermons.

Why? Back in the day, it was very common for priests to expose their parishioners’ sins during the omelia from the pulpit.

They didn’t say names and surnames — the secret of confession was “safe” — but they certainly knew how to make it clear who they were talking about.

This expression carries a truckload of emotional baggage and it’s one of the worst things you can say to describe a hypocritical person.

Is that rich and greedy man saying that poverty in the world is a huge problem, and yet does nothing to ease the woes of the poor? Look from which pulpit this sermon is coming!

This Italian idiom is comparable to the English idiom, “caught red-handed” or “caught with one’s hands in the cookie jar.”

These idioms refer to someone who got caught stealing cash or something else, often helping themselves to the detriment of others.

This Italian idiom is used to signify how life goes on even after the worst of tragedies. Your Italian boyfriend broke up with you?

Don’t worry, there is plenty of fish in the sea. If even the pope isn’t indispensable, the loss of something or someone shouldn’t stop your world from turning.

Life goes on, as it always has.

Let’s say you’re peacefully walking the streets of Milan and somebody suddenly snatches your wallet.

You decide to get some much-needed exercise and pursue the offender through the major thoroughfares of a foreign city.

You would shout, “Togliti dai piedi!” as you gave chase. It means “Get out of my way!” You would then catch the bad man and give him a good scolding for what he did.

But in reality, you probably wouldn’t even know you’d been victimized by a pickpocket until it was too late.

It’s always better to stay safe abroad and keep any valuables in your hotel (or better yet, never bring them on your vacation in the first place).

You don’t want to hear this from the staff of an Italian restaurant, ever. It means “It is what it is.”

The expression gives the sense that a thing is done in a shoddy, slapdash manner.

Imagine a miner hanging his hard hat on the wall after a long day. He’s done, having finished his work.

In the case of this idiom, however, the person hanging up his hat doesn’t have to work at all anymore because he’s just snagged a wealthy wife.

“Attaccarre il cappello” not only means quitting in general but has the added sense of quitting by virtue of marrying somebody rich (usually a man marrying a rich woman).

So the Italian version wins this one, what with all the perks of a golden retirement.

This Italian idiom means to be completely taken by surprise, usually from news of something that’s negative in nature.

“Taken aback” captures some of the same meaning, as in “She was taken aback when she heard that I lost the baby.”

Consider a mustache. It’s just there, growing on your face, without any effort. It’s always there, but you don’t really notice it. It doesn’t bother you at all.

To make a mustache out of something means to treat something as insignificant, or not bothersome or burdensome at all. So you don’t make a fuss about it.

Italians revere the Pope, but they do have an expression for saying “once in a blue moon” that’s based on his demise.

It’s “ogni morte di papa.” These fellows often reach a ripe old age before checking out. (Seems like being close to God does have its perks.)

So really, the death of a pope doesn’t come very often, making the idiomatic expression a fitting description.

For example, the Italian prime minister is “un pezzo grosso” of the whole Italian political system. In fact, the biggest of them all.

“Calare le brache” means to chicken out and surrender. Another Italian idiom in the same vein is “chiudere bottega” (to close up shop), which means to give up.

You may not master Italian in a week or two, but it’s no reason to give up. Keep your store open and your pants up!

Here is a list of Italian idioms that can help you with breaking the ice (or, rompere il ghiccio, if you’re in Italy) in your everyday conversation, as well as not panicking when they are used by Italians:

This Italian idiom means that not only did you get ripped off (the injury), but you were also duped (insult).

This means that you are presenting a counterargument in which you don’t really believe in, in order to start a debate.

This means that you are taking on more of something (food, task, project, etc.) than what you can process or handle.

This Italian idiom means that you are calming yourself or other people who are feeling angry.

This means that you are complaining about a problem from the past that cannot be changed.

This means that you should not doubt someone’s statement until proven otherwise.

This Italian idiom means you can solve two problems with one solution.

This Italian idiom means that a job, task, or other activity is very easy or simple.

It is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives.

This means to hope for a good outcome for someone or something.

This means managing to stay alive, especially when one has very little money, or in very difficult circumstances.

The verb sbarcare in this context is used as “to get by”, whilst the word “lunario” refers to an ancient calendar or annual almanac quite popular in the countryside which used to include news about fairs and markets, weather forecasts (lunario includes the word luna which means “moon”), predictions for the future and much more.

So the figurative meaning of this expression comes from the idea of surviving with little money until the end of the year.

It is said to emphasize that the person who has control of a situation, in the end, is most successful, even if other people had seemed originally to have an advantage.

This means to say or do something that makes a bad situation worse.

This means to do something equally bad to someone who has done something bad to you.

This Italian idiom is used when talking about someone who drinks a lot or too much alcohol.

It is said to warn someone not to be angry with the person who delivers bad news (for which they’re not responsible).

This means you have a very strong stomach that can withstand bad food or anything nauseating.

It means to try very hard to do something good or helpful.

More Italian idiomatic expressions

Let’s have a look at some more Italian idiomatic expressions:

To face a difficult situation, to struggle while handling it.

This Italian idiom originates in Rome, in the 30s, when a very famous aviation squad (205° Squadriglia) used three green mice as their symbol, painted on their planes. “Sorci” is the Roman dialectal variation of “topi” (mice).

A person with mercury on themselves is considered fidgety and full of energy, and this Italian idiom is usually used when referring to very active kids.

Argento vivo, which literally means “alive silver” is an ancient name used for mercury, which is a very fluid and mutable substance.

An injunction to keep a secret.

This expression is a comment on good intentions and the idea that they often don’t come to fruition.

Both the English and the Italian may seem a bit harsh.

The expression in both cases is used to push someone to do better work; you may say it, for example, to a student who is showing a demonstrable lack of effort or discipline.

It’s interesting that dogs aren’t acceptable in churches, but before the famous Palio of Siena (a traditional horserace), competing horses are taken into churches to be blessed.

Go practice these idioms and expressions

That’s it! You’ve just learned many of the most common and useful Italian idioms, sayings, and expressions used by native speakers.

There are so many more, and this is really just a start.

Forge ahead with your study of Italian and you’ll be putting yourself in the way of some really interesting and creative idioms.

Want more? Check these collections of Italian proverbs, Italian quotes, and Italian sayings.

If you want to read more about the relationship between idioms, culture, and traditions, and about why it is important to learn idioms, keep on reading!

Italian idioms for valuable insight into the culture

Whether you’re a beginner in learning Italian or an advanced speaker, learning some idioms and colloquialisms can really help you in your studies.

Not only does using them make you sound more natural when you speak with other Italians, but they also build your confidence, making you sound like a native speaker.

In fact, in some cases, ideas or thoughts can be expressed more effectively by using Italian idioms or colloquialisms than by using a long, complicated sentence.

Undoubtedly, Italian idioms and colloquialisms reflect the historical and cultural circumstances in which they have evolved. This can also offer you some precious insight into the language you’re learning.

Nevertheless, we are all citizens of the same planet, so many idioms and colloquialisms are nearly universal, expressing similar ideas in different languages.

So, even on this list, you may find a lot of similarities with your own native language.

Italian idioms are useful to understand native material like news and stories and make excellent material for learning Italian.

Why learning Italian idioms is a must

Italian idioms are a little different from the literal and grammatically perfect sentence examples found in textbooks.

In real life, communication can not only be grammatically awkward (like “Long time, no see!”), it can also be a lot more figurative.

When you say you’re “killing two birds with one stone”, you don’t really mean it, but hey, you already know what that means.

This also applies to Italian idioms.

An idiom means more than the individual words that make it up

Take the Italian expression “Fare il chilo!” (literally, “To make the kilo”) as an example. Anybody can pick up an Italian app and learn the meaning of individual words.

But it takes a certain finesse to comprehend the full expression.

“Facciamo il chilo” means “Let’s rest after lunch.” As in, “Abbiamo mangiato un sacco, facciamo il chilo” (We ate too much, let’s take a post-lunch rest).

To more fully appreciate the meaning and richness of Italian idioms in this post, how about we first try looking at some of their counterparts in English?

Take “sit on the fence,” for example. What could this possibly mean to someone who’s not a native English speaker?

Well, you can sit on the fence all day long and never divine the meaning of this idiom by closely inspecting each word in the phrase.

These babies are figurative in nature, and paying a visit to the finest stables in the world won’t reveal the meaning of “straight from the horse’s mouth,” either.

Idioms are creative ways of saying something

A native speaker won’t waste his breath saying, “The exam was not difficult at all. I found the questions very easy,” when he could have just easily uttered, “It was a piece of cake.”

Instead of saying, “That was awful! I don’t think anybody will ever pay to hear you sing,” a native speaker can just suggest, “Don’t quit your day job.”

(The punch there can be both literal, as the speaker may be literally suggesting the person not quit their day job, and figurative, as they’re using one thing to say another.)

Every idiom has a story

Italian idioms didn’t just rise out of the water to join the ranks of literal phrases and expressions. They have origins and provenance, even if native speakers don’t remember them.

For example, “know the ropes” came from old sailing traditions, as being familiar with the rigging was an essential skill in working a ship.

Italian idioms are little glances into the history, beliefs, and traditions of the language that they carry.

The Italian idiom “Capita a fagiolo” (literally, “happens at the bean”), which is an expression used when something happens at exactly the right moment, is reminiscent of a time when the nation’s poor only had beans for meals.

When you come “at the bean,” you come at a time when food is served.

And for the hungry peasant, that’s as perfect a time as there is!

All this being said, why don’t we proceed to the next section and look more closely at some interesting Italian idioms?

Italian Idioms: how to use them

First of all, don’t try to memorize all of them because, as you could see, there are way too many.

Stick to the ones you like. Try to really grasp the meaning of them. If you have doubts, ask a friend.

That way, you’ll be sure to really understand what they mean.

Once you feel comfortable, you’re ready to use them. However, don’t try to force yourself.

Saying an Italian idiom should be spontaneous, so wait for the right context and if you feel you’re ready to say it, go for it!

Italians will be impressed!

In bocca al lupo!