Do you want to sound like an Italian? 20 Cool Italian Idioms!

Do you want to sound like an Italian? Well, bella gente,  look no further, this is the right post for you. Idioms are words and expressions that are figurative in nature, but whose meanings are readily understood by speakers of the language.

This post will introduce you to 20 Italian idioms, getting you started on this important facet of Italian fluency. 

So, buckle up your seatbelts and prepare to unleash your inner Italian charisma! Trust me, when you start sprinkling these delightful expressions into your conversations, you'll have everyone saying, "Che figata!" (How awesome!)

Iniziamo….

1. Essere al verde (To be in the green) 

To be broke. But hey, being broke is just a chance to appreciate the simpler things in life, like a heartfelt conversation over a cappuccino!

2. Prendere fischi per fiaschi (To take whistles for flasks) 

To mistake something for something else. It's like putting salt in your coffee instead of sugar – oops!

3. In bocca al lupo (In the mouth of the wolf)

This is the equivalent of “break a leg.” Use this instead of “Buona fortuna” (Good luck).

There’s an Italian superstition that if you wish somebody good luck, bad things will happen instead.

But then the response should never be “Grazie,” instead, you would say “Crepi il lupo,” (May the wolf die).

4. Buono come il pane (Good as bread)

This will be the first of our food-related idioms, and I’m telling you that there will be more on this list.

“Buono come il pane” (Good as bread) is used to describe a person with a heart of gold.

 He or she is somebody who’s generally known for being kind and generous, generally has   the qualities of a good person.

You use “Buono come il pane” as a blanket description of a good person, when you really don’t have anything else to say about him or her.

5. L’erba del vicino è sempre più verde (Neighbor’s grass is always greener)

You may have already guessed the English equivalent of this one: The grass is always greener on the other side.

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

6.     A mali estremi, estremi rimedi (To extreme evils, extreme remedies)

 This one mean “desperate times call for desperate measures.” 

 There’s not much more explanation needed for this as it is used anytime you normally would    say the English version.

7. Fare di tutta l'erba un fascio (To bundle all the grass together) 

To generalize everything. Remember, variety is the spice of life – embrace diversity!

8. Conosco i miei polli (I know my chickens)

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.”

Well, that's the essence of the Italian idiom "Conosco i miei polli" – it's all about that spirit of self-assuredness. When Italians want to convey a message like, "I know what I'm talking about," they effortlessly drop this delightful idiom with an air of quiet confidence.

9. Non avere peli sulla lingua (Not to have hair on your tongue)

This Italian idiom 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. No worries

10. Morto un papa, se ne fa un altro (One pope dies, another will be made)

This Italian idiom is used to signify how life goes on even after the worst of tragedies.

Your boyfriend broke up with you? Don’t worry, there are 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's journey continues, and it's full of infinite possibilities!

11. Avere le braccine corte (To shave short arms)

 Is like that one family member or friend who conveniently develops short arms whenever the bill arrives. The expression refers to a cheap person who never seems to have the arm length or strength to reach for his wallet.

Cheap alert!

12. Che palle! (What balls)

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.

13. Non dire gatto se non ce l’hai nel sacco (Don't call it a 'cat' if you don't have it in your bag)

Ah, the wise Italian way of saying, "Don't count your chickens before they are hatched!"

This delightful idiom serves as a friendly reminder not to rely on or celebrate something that hasn't happened yet. Just like you wouldn't show off your new cat if it's not in your bag, it's essential to wait for things to materialize before celebrating their arrival.

14. Chi non risica non rosica (Nothing ventured, nothing gained)

 Who doesn’t risk, doesn’t bite.It’s better to risk than to lose the opportunity. It also means that you need to work hard to achieve good results. So, don't be afraid to take that leap of faith, embark on new adventures, and put in the effort to achieve greatness. After all, the sweetest fruits are often reserved for those brave enough to take that first bite!

15. Essere una pecora nera (To be the black sheep)

During the 17th and 18th centuries, black wool was considered commercially undesirable because it couldn't be dyed like the more common white wool. Therefore, this Italian idiom indicates someone different from the main crowd, or with different characteristics than its original group/family.

16. Piove sul bagnato (It rains on the wet ground)

This wonderful Italian expression perfectly captures those situations that seem to be unfair or paradoxical, where bad luck just keeps piling up on top of an already challenging situation.

It's like when someone who's already incredibly wealthy wins the lottery, or when someone who's been facing a streak of bad luck receives even more unfortunate news.

17. Da che pulpito viene la predica (Look from which pulpit this sermon is coming)

In Italy, religion is significant, and in the past, priests used to expose parishioners' sins during Sunday sermons without revealing their identities. This expression implies calling out hypocritical behaviour, like a wealthy person preaching about poverty without helping the poor.

18. Colto con le mani nel sacco (Busted with their hands in the bag)

This Italian idiom is like the English phrase "caught red-handed" or "caught with one's hands in the cookie jar."

It's all about catching someone in the act of stealing, taking something they shouldn't, and being caught in the act, leaving them no room to deny their misdeed.

So, watch out for those sneaky hands in the bag!

19. Piangere sul latte versato (Crying over spilled milk)

This expression conveys the idea of lamenting or regretting something that has already happened and cannot be changed. It's a reminder not to dwell on past mistakes or misfortunes and to focus on moving forward instead.

20. Arrampicarsi sugli specchi (Climb up on mirrors)

This is an interesting idiom because it has several, related but distinct meanings. You can use it to say you are trying something that seems impossible, like the “spider in the hole” example above.

Or to say that someone has opinions that are not based on fact or truth, or that someone is trying to justify a wrong argument to defend a bad thing. A little like “clutching at straws.”

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A presto!

Cristina