Just whisper the word mare (sea) and you’re halfway to a mental vacation: the sound of crashing waves, a chilled Spritz in hand, and that unmistakable scent of salsedine (salty air) in the face.
But did you know that mare is also used for a series of everyday Italian idioms? Yep, we love the sea so much that we’ve managed to sneak it into expressions that cover everything from broken promises to awkward vibes and full-on chaos.
In this article, I’m sharing the most popular Italian idioms with mare, plus some bonus ones related to the maritime world.
1. Tra il dire e il fare c’è di mezzo il mare
Literally: Between saying and doing, there’s the sea
English equivalent: Easier said than done
This is a classic idiom we use to underline the often big gap between what is said and what actually gets done. Like when you say you’re going to wake up at 5 AM and do yoga every day, but actually doing it? Yep, that’s a whole sea to cross! So when your Italian friend confidently announces a grand plan, you very sweetly raise eyebrows and reply: Eeeh, tra il dire e il fare…
A: Lascio tutto e apro un bar sulla spiaggia! (I’m quitting everything and opening a beach bar!)
B: Ah sì? Bello! Ma tra il dire e il fare c’è di mezzo il mare… (Oh yeah? Sounds great! But easier said than done…)
2. Essere una goccia nel mare
Literally: To be a drop in the sea
English equivalent: A drop in the ocean
This expression is beautifully visual: one tiny drop lost in an endless expanse of blue. Sounds dreamy, right? Mmm, not really, because we use it to describe something that feels way too small to make a real difference. It’s that feeling when you pick up a single piece of trash from the beach: you know it’s important, but it’s hard not to feel just like a goccia nel mare.
Abbiamo firmato la petizione, ma ci sembra una goccia nel mare in mezzo a tutta quell’indifferenza.
We signed the petition, but it feels like a drop in the ocean amidst all that indifference.
3. Un porto di mare
Literally: A seaport
English equivalent: A total madhouse
Despite sounding like a scenic spot for a sunset stroll, un porto di mare is everything but serenity. After all, a port is literally where ships dock, bringing in people and goods of all sorts, and that’s exactly the kind of place this phrase is meant to describe. Thinks cafés where no one ever seems to sit still, offices where every week you’re introduced to “the new colleague,” only to have them disappear by Friday, or homes where guests seem to appear out of nowhere at all hours!
L’appartamento di Marco è un porto di mare: ogni volta che vado da lui, trovo gente sempre diversa.
Marco’s apartment is a total madhouse: every time I go over, there’s a completely different crowd.
4. Portare acqua al mare
Literally: To carry water to the sea
English equivalent: To do something pointless
This Italian idiom is all about futility: the sea is already full of water, so what’s the point of adding more? Totally useless. So, when we use this phrase, we’re talking about doing something redundant or adding effort where it’s really not needed, like recommending pizza to a Neapolitan!
Io provo a spiegargli le cose, ma è come portare acqua al mare!
I try to explain things to him, but it’s like bringing water to the sea!
5. Essere in alto mare
Literal translation: To be in high sea
English equivalent: To be nowhere near done
You know those moments when you’re in deep chaos, everything is a mess, and someone casually asks, “So, how’s it going?” and all you can do is laugh? Well, that’s the perfect time to use essere in alto mare. Literally, it means to be out in the middle of the sea, with no land in sight and no clue how to get back to shore. The image couldn’t be more accurate: when you’re dealing with a project that makes zero sense, your to-do list has become a joke, and it feels like you’re getting absolutely nothing done, just sigh and say, Sono in alto mare… it says it all!
La tesi? Non farmici pensare… sono ancora in alto mare.
My thesis? Don’t even get me started… I’m still drowning in it.
6. Essere / Sentirsi un pesce fuor d’acqua
Literal translation: To be / to feel like a fish out of the water
English equivalent: To feel like a fish out of the water
This is the perfect Italian idiom for when you feel totally out of your element. Like it’s your first yoga class and everyone else is folding themselves into all those weird shapes while you’re just trying not to fall. Or you’re at a fancy networking event silently praying no one asks what you do. That’s essere un pesce fuor d’acqua, a fish out of water: flopping and desperately wishing you could swim back to the safety of your comfort zone.
Andrea si sente sempre un pesce fuor d’acqua quando mi accompagna a teatro; lui è più tipo da concerti rock.
Andrea always feels like a fish out of water when he comes to the theater with me; he’s more of a rock concert kind of guy.
7. Essere sulla cresta dell’onda
Literal translation: To be on the crest of the wave
English equivalent: To be on the rise / on top of the world
Imagine you’re riding the biggest, most perfect wave ever. The kind that makes you feel like you’re literally on top of the world, unstoppable. That’s what we mean when we say essere sulla cresta dell’onda. Literally, it’s “to be on the crest of the wave,” but is all about being on the rise.It’s the kind of phrase we use when talking about athletes absolutely killing it or celebrities totally owning the headlines.
Il gruppo è sulla cresta dell’onda da mesi, il loro ultimo album è un vero successo.
The band has been on a roll for months, their latest album is a real hit.
8. Cavalcare l’onda
Literal translation: To ride the wave
English equivalent: To ride the moment
Cavalcare l’onda is what you do when everything is clicking and you just grab the moment and ride it. But it’s not just passively hanging out on the wave like essere sulla cresta dell’onda. With cavalcare l’onda, you’re the one steering, and making the absolute most of every second before the wave crashes. We sometimes use it with a negative vibe, like when someone is just jumping on a trend to cash in or stay relevant. So, it’s fantastic when it’s genuine, but it can feel a little opportunistic too.
Hanno cavalcato l’onda del successo, ma senza mai perdere la testa.
They rode the wave of success without ever losing their heads.
9. Andare a scopare il mare
Literal translation: To go sweep the sea
English equivalent: To stop talking nonsense / To give it a rest
When you’re hanging out with a friend who comes up with a wild story or some easy-money scheme, you can hit them with a playful Andare a scopare il mare (To go sweep the sea). Sounds ridiculous, right? Because it is. Like telling someone to go do something totally pointless. But it actually means, “Stop talking nonsense” or “Give it a rest,” without coming off as rude.
A: Ti dico, se compri questo corso online, diventi milionario in un mese! (I’m telling you, if you buy this online course, you’ll become a millionaire in a month!)
B: Ma va a scopare il mare, Sandro! Non è mica così semplice. (Oh, come on, Sandro! Stop talking nonsense! It’s not that simple.)
10. Buttare / Gettare a mare
Literal translation: To throw into the sea
English equivalent: To throw overboard / To waste something big
Buttare a mareis the perfect idiom to say someone just chucked a golden opportunity straight overboard, be it a job offer, a relationship, or that second chance you were really banking on. Splash! Gone. Technically, we should say buttarein mare (to throw into the sea) instead of a mare (to the sea), but that’s just how this idiom and everyone gets the message loud and clear.
Ha buttato a mare l’opportunità di lavorare all’estero solo perché aveva paura di cambiare.
She threw away the opportunity to work abroad just because she was afraid of change.
11. Navigare in cattive acque
Literal translation: To navigate bad waters
English equivalent: To be in hot water / To be in deep trouble
When someone is navigando in cattive acque, they’re not just having a rough day, they’re having some real problems. Think serious financial troubles, legal nightmares, the whole mess. Just like when the waters are choppy, the sky is turning black, and there’s no easy way to the shore.
La sua azienda naviga in cattive acque da mesi, non so quanto ancora potrà resistere.
His company’s been in deep trouble for months, I’m not sure how much longer it can survive.
12. Un mare di / Una marea di
Literal translation: A sea of / A tide of
English equivalent: A lot of / Loads of / A mountain of
When we want to say “a ton of something,” we often use the expressions un mare di or una marea di. It’s like we’re talking so much of something, we could fill the entire sea. Classic examples include:
- Essere in un mare di guai (to be in a sea of trouble)
- Avere una marea di cose da fare (to have a mountain of things to do)
- C’è una marea di gente (there’s a huge crowd)
- Essere in un mare di lacrime (to be in a sea of tears)
Abbiamo una marea di cose da organizzare per il matrimonio.
We have loads of things to organise for the wedding.
13. Navigare a vista
Literal translation: To navigate by sight
English equivalent: To play it by ear
The idiom navigare a vista captures that beautifully chaotic moment when you don’t really have a plan, just a rough idea of where you’re headed. It’s like the sailor at sea scanning the horizon and hoping for the best. In other words, this expression is all about making it up as you go (which, sometimes, is the only way to move forward!).
Non ho un piano preciso; al momento navigo a vista e vedo quel che succede.
I don’t have a solid plan; right now, I’m just playing it by ear and seeing what happens.
14. Smuovere mari e monti
Literal translation: To move seas and mountains
English equivalent: To move heaven and earth
Smuovere mari e monti means being so committed to make something happen that nothing, not even the biggest mountain or the wildest ocean, can stand in your way. So next time you’re chasing a lifelong dream, or maybe trying to solve a tricky situation, just remember that you’re smuovendo mari e monti.
Hanno smosso mari e monti per aiutare la libreria del paese a non chiudere.
They moved heaven and earth to help the local bookstore stay open.
15. Promettere mari e monti
Literal translation: To promise seas and mountains
English equivalent: To promise the stars and the moon
This Italian idiom with mare is perfect for smooth talkers, those people who catch our attention with big promises but then deliver absolutely nothing. Like when your boss gets all hyped up, saying,“We’re going to crush targets, get rewards, maybe even a bonus!” but when the year ends, you don’t get a single extra euro.
Quel politico promette sempre mari e monti durante le campagne elettorali, poi sparisce.
That politician always promises seas and mountains during election campaigns, then disappears.
16. Fare promesse da marinaio
Literal translation: To make sailor’s promises
English equivalent: To make empty promises
Imagine sailors caught in stormy seas, swearing to saints they’d do all kinds of heroic things if only they survived. Bus once the storm passes, those promises are totally forgotten. Or think of those who make sweet promises under the moonlight that have about as much chance of coming true as spotting a mermaid. So, fare promesse da marinaio means saying words that sound great in the moment but never actually happen.
Quante promesse da marinaio ho sentito in tutta la mia vita!
How many empty promises have I heard in my life!
17. Superare uno scoglio
Literal translation: To overcome a rock
English equivalent: To overcome an obstacle
Imagine you’re sailing when suddenly, bam! A scoglio (rocky outcrop) suddenly appears, right in your way. You can’t just keep going straight, you have to steer around it, adjust your course, and keep moving forward. That’s exactly what the idiom superare uno scoglio means in real life. It’s when you hit a big, annoying obstacle that’s blocking your path and you need to find a way to get past it.
La paura del cambiamento è uno scoglio difficile da superare, ma ne vale sempre la pena.
Fear of change is a tough hurdle to get past, but it’s always worth it in the end.
18. Essere l’ultima spiaggia
Literal translation: To be the last beach
English equivalent: To be the last resort
When you describe someone or something as l’ultima spiaggia, it means you’re officially out of options. Every plan you had has failed spectacularly, and now this is your very last hope. Curiously, this phrase comes from the 1957 novel “On the Beach” by Nevil Shute, which was translated into Italian as L’Ultima Spiaggia. In the story, nuclear war has wiped out humanity, and the last survivors are stuck in Australia, waiting for the inevitable.
Abbiamo fatto mille colloqui senza risultati. Questo candidato è proprio l’ultima spiaggia!
We’ve done a thousand interviews with no luck. This candidate is really our last resort!
19. Maretta
Literal translation: Choppy sea
English equivalent: Tension brewing / Stormy vibes
Maretta might sound kind of cute, like the name of a summery drink with a little umbrella in it. But its’s totally the opposite. In sailing, it refers to those little ripples that appear when the wind starts to shift. Nothing dramatic, just a quiet signal that something is about to change.Similarly, in everyday life maretta is that weird energy in the room when things look fine on the surface, but everyone knows something is off.
In questi giorni c’è un po’ di maretta in ufficio.
Lately, things at work have been a little tense.
Valentina Nicastro is a travel writer in love with her home country, Italy. Having travelled widely around the globe, she realised there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put the passport aside for a while. When she is not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.
