Today’s idiomatic expression has a direct equivalent in English, yet, as we’re about to see, the two expressions couldn’t be more different in imagery.
In English, when we attempt something beyond our true abilities without considering the possible consequences, we’re often warned not to “bite off more than we can chew.“
Italian offers an expression that I find just as vivid: Fare il passo più lungo della gamba! – literally, “To take a step longer than your leg.“
Fare il passo più lungo della gamba
The message is the same in both languages. Just as biting off too much risks choking, taking a step beyond your natural stride risks stumbling – or much worse!
Vorrei comprare quella macchina costosa, ma il mio budget è limitato. Meglio non fare il passo più lungo della gamba.
I’d like to buy that expensive car, but my budget is limited. It’s better not to bite off more than I can chew.
Ho provato a realizzare questo progetto ma non ho abbastanza esperienza. – Eh sì, hai fatto il passo più lungo della gamba!
I tried to fulfil this project but I don’t have enough experience. – Yeah, you bit off more than you can chew!
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.
