20 Fun Facts About Italian Idioms

Italians have a special way of putting things into words. Hence, Italian idioms are frequently difficult to understand due to their vivid imagery and lyrical tone. Notwithstanding their aesthetic value, these structures also tell a fascinating tale of the country’s past. Learn 20 fun facts you probably didn’t know about Italian idioms.

Many Italian idioms have their roots in Latin. This is because many of them have been around since the Roman Empire. This makes them particularly interesting to learn as they link to the past.
Some Italian idioms are quite literal translations from Italian to English. An example is “Un colpo di fulmine,” which translates to “a bolt of lightning” and refers to love at first sight.
“Mettere il dito nella piaga,” meaning “to put your finger in the wound,” describes someone who brings up an uncomfortable topic. This idiom comes from an ancient practice of putting a finger into a wound to reduce swelling.
To “create a good impression,” as the Italian expression “fare una bella figura” expresses it, one must present oneself properly in public. It is speculated that the custom of dressing well to make a good first impression is where this phrase got its start.
“L’appetito vien mangiando,” which translates to “appetite comes with eating,” is an idiom that describes someone who becomes hungrier the more they eat. This idiom is said to have originated from the proverb “Eat to live, not live to eat.”
To “put your head in the right place,” or “mettere la testa a posto,” is an Italian phrase meaning “to start thinking logically.” The custom of placing a hat on a person’s head to indicate that they could think rationally is considered to be the inspiration for this phrase.
The Italian expression “essere in gattabuia,” meaning “to be in a cat’s cage,” describes a person in an impossible circumstance. Caging cats to prevent them from running amok is supposedly inspiring this phrase.
“Essere su di giri,” which translates to “to be on the go,” is an idiom that describes someone full of energy and enthusiasm. This idiom is said to have originated from using a wheel to power a machine.
The Italian term “avere le orecchie d’asino” (to have donkey ears) describes someone who listens carefully to everything said. The idiom’s origins may be traced back to the fact that donkeys, traditionally employed to pull carts, were also known for their extreme obedience.
To “break your boxes” (rompersi le scatole) is an Italian expression for boredom or annoyance. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the custom of slicing open boxes to gain access to their contents is the inspiration for this idiom.
“Affogare in un bicchier d’acqua,” which translates to “drowning in a glass of water,” is an idiom used to describe someone overwhelmed by a seemingly small problem. This idiom is said to have originated from the fact that it is impossible to drown in a glass of water, no matter how hard one tries.
“Farsi una zuppa di,” which translates as “making a soup of,” is an expression used to indicate someone attempting to combine several materials. This phrase is supposed to have arisen when diverse components were combined to make soup.
13.”L’amore domina senza regole,” or “love laws without rules,” is an expression used to describe the inexorable force of love. This proverb is supposed to have developed because love is a tremendous force that can’t be controlled by anybody or anything.
“Conosco i miei polli,” which translates to “I know my chickens,” is an idiom used to describe someone confident in their knowledge and experience. This idiom is said to have originated from the practice of keeping chickens as a food source and knowing each chicken’s behavior.
“Essere al verde,” which translates to “to be in the green,” is an idiom that describes someone who is out of money. This idiom is said to have originated from the fact that money was often printed on green-colored paper.
” E tutto pepe!” is an expression that means “it’s all pepper!” It characterizes anything vibrant, thrilling, and full of energy. The fact that pepper is a spice that gives taste to food is claimed to have inspired this phrase.
“Parlare come un libro stampato,” which translates to “to speak like a printed book,” is an idiom used to describe someone who speaks very precisely and articulately. This idiom is said to have originated from the fact that books were printed in a precise manner.
“Sputa il rospo,” which translates to “spit out the toad,” is an idiom that describes someone finally getting to the point after speaking for a long time.
“Un pezzo grosso,” which translates to “a big piece,” is an expression used to describe someone prominent or influential. This phrase is supposed to have evolved from the tradition of carving a huge piece of meat and offering it to a privileged guest.
“Non vedo l’ora,” which translates as “I can’t wait,” is an expression of eagerness. This idiom is supposed to have come from the use of an hourglass to measure time.

So there you have it, 20 fun facts about Italian idioms. While they may seem confusing at first, learning the history behind them can make them more interesting and enjoyable.