Imagine biting into a scrumptious-looking ciambella (doughnut), only to discover that something about it isn’t quite right. Maybe it’s uneven, maybe it’s collapsed, or maybe, just maybe, it’s missing that all-important buco (hole) in the middle! (Can a doughnut really be called a doughnut if it’s missing the hole?!) This situation perfectly captures both the …
Have you ever created, designed or written something that you were extremely proud of because you did it all by yourself? If so, today’s Italian idiom is for you! essere farina del proprio sacco to be one’s own work Essere farina del proprio sacco is a frequently used Italian idiomatic expression that describes something entirely …
If you’ve ever tried to describe someone as beautiful in English, you might opt for phrases like natural beauty or fresh-faced. But in Italian, they take a much more literal – and, dare I say, charming – approach. Enter the idiomatic expression acqua e sapone, which translates as water and soap. Yes, you read that …
There are many things we hope to avoid in life – feeling stressati (stressed), being ammalati (unwell), and experiencing infelicità (unhappiness) – but one situation that can lead to all of these is finding oneself al verde, completely broke and without a penny. essere al verde to be broke The literal translation is “to be …
Essere in vena is a very common Italian expression used when you feel inspired to experience or tackle something, or when you feel in the mood to do something. If you are in vena, you are in the best possible frame of mind and body to take on a specific task. essere in vena to …
What do you do when something annoys or discourages you to the point of feeling completely drained? You probably let your arms fall to your sides like dead weight, right? That’s exactly the image behind the Italian expression far cadere le braccia – literally “to make your arms drop,” used when something is so frustrating …