We all have idioms we commonly use. “Stab me in the back why don’t you,” or “I am gonna hit the sack,” are both idioms native to the English. Some of us even have the silliest ones, ones that others may have trouble understanding. Here’s five of the most common (but also funny) Italian idioms, for when you don’t want to misinterpret what someone is saying to you.
1. Senza peli sulla lingua
Want the most honest opinion someone can give you? Ask them to tell you “Senza peli sulla lingua” which translates to “Without hair on your tongue.” Make sure you’re ready to hear the whole truth before you ask though.
2. Fare le corna a qualcuno
Hear this and you better be checking up on your girlfriend/boyfriend. Translating to “to have the horns put on you”, this generally means that your significant other is cheating on you. Sorry.
3. Fare la gatta morta
Italians don’t generally “play dumb”, but they “do the dead cat”. Yes, it would be easier to say you’re just pretending to be stupid. But this is funnier. And Italian.
4. Saltare I fossi per il lungo
You know how Americans commonly say that they can do things with their hands behind their back? Well, Italians take it one step further; they’ll “jump ditches along the way.”
5. La goccia che ha fatto traboccare il vaso
That’s the last straw! Oh no, it isn’t… It’s the drop that made the vase overflow. It’s a common idiom to Italians, and if someone says this to you, watch out.
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