The idioms are common in all languages, and each is inextricably linked to the language itself and the culture of the country from which it originates. This means that Italian expressions are not the same as those in English. In fact, when one has to translate a common saying from one language to the other, it is almost impossible to come up with a literal translation that matches the original meaning. All we can do is find the best interpretation.
With that said, here are some famous expressions in the Italian language that you are guaranteed to hear in daily conversation with friends and family. Enjoy!
Cadere a fagiolo
Literal translation: to fall like a bean
Meaning in English: to happen at the right time, just when something is needed
Battere cassa
Literal translation: to beat the cash register
Meaning in English: to ask for money, to come looking for money
Essere al verde
Literal translation: to be in the green
Meaning in English: to be broke
Vuotare il sacco
Literal translation: to empty the sack
Meaning in English: to spill the beans
Avere la faccia tosta
Literal translation: to have the tough face
Meaning in English: to have the cheek/nerve (to do something)
Avere una marcia in più
Literal translation: to have an extra gear, to have a higher gear
Meaning in English: to be a step ahead, to have a leg up, to have the edge (over someone)
Aprire gli occhi
Literal translation: to open one’s eyes
Meaning in English: to open one’s eyes, to realise
A occhio e croce
Literal translation: at eye and cross
Meaning in English: more or less, roughly, approximately
Bruciare le tappe
Literal translation: to burn the stages
Meaning in English: to reach a goal earlier than expected, to get somewhere (too) fast, to rush into things
Cambiare le carte in tavola
Literal translation: to change the cards on the table (in the middle of a game)
Meaning in English: to suddenly change the rules
Cercare un ago nel pagliaio
Literal translation: to look for a needle in a haystack
Meaning in English: to look for a needle in a haystack
Dalle stelle alle stalle
Literal translation: from stars to stables
Meaning in English: from riches to rags, to go from a positive to a negative situation
Dare del filo da torcere
Literal translation: to give some string to twist
Meaning in English: to give somebody a hard time, to give someone a run for their money
Dormire tra due guanciali
Literal translation: to sleep between two pillows
Meaning in English: to sleep easy
Essere al settimo cielo
Literal translation: to be in seventh heaven
Meaning in English: to be very happy, to be in seventh heaven
Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
