If you want to sound Italian and learn more about their culture, you should learn expressions like this I guess there is no owner or find the hair in the egg. Let’s take a look at the most common Italian idioms: words and expressions that have different meanings compared to their literal translations.
1. Count without shopkeeper
Literal translation: Do math without a host
Italians use this idiom when someone makes a rash decision that does not take into account the wishes of others or the possibility that the decision may be rejected.
You settle accounts without a shopkeeper. Waiting to hear Julia’s opinion.
You are making a decision fast! Waiting to hear Julia’s opinion.
2. Cry over spilled milk
Literal translation: crying over spilled milk
Imagine you decide to have lunch at a restaurant, and you discover that another restaurant offers the same dish for a lower price.italians would say There’s no point crying over spilled milk in this case. With this idiom, they mean that complaining after the fact is pointless. What’s done is done, you can’t change it. This idiom exists in both Italian and English.
It’s no use crying over spilled milk. You can’t change the course of events right now.
There’s no point in crying over spilled milk. You cannot change the course of events at this point.
3. Carping
Literal translation: looking for hair in eggs
There is a rather critical idiom here, which refers to those who are critical and pedantic to the point of being difficult to deal with. The meaning is similar to “nitpicking” or “splitting hairs” in English.
You are carping!
You are carping!
4. Hair is magic
Literal translation: have a devil instead of hair
This Italian idiom judiciously mixes biblical faith and literature. The devil is a negative entity. So, if you have the devil on your head, it means you are extremely angry or nervous.
You have the devil in your hair today… calm down please!
I’m in a bad mood today…please calm down!
5. admit defeat
Literal translation: throw sponge
Italians use this idiom to express the sadness when you have to give up when something is too big or complicated, especially after many attempts.
I tried many times, but finally gave in.
I tried many times, but finally I gave up.
6. Play the naysayer
Literal translation: Become the Devil’s Advocate
This idiom refers to a person expressing a controversial opinion in order to spark an argument, or to test the strength of opposing arguments. It exists in Italian and English.
Either you are very naive, or you are playing the naysayer.
Either you’re really naive or you’re playing the naysayer.
7. Wash your hands
Literal translation: handwashing
This Italian idiom is used to indicate that you refuse to take responsibility for something you were previously involved in. Its origins can be traced back to a gesture made by Pontius Pilate, the Roman prosecutor who participated in the trial of Jesus of Nazareth. According to the Bible, the man fetched some water, washed his hands in front of the crowd, and said, “I’m not responsible for this blood.”
You’re washing your hands, but you should deal with this.
You are washing your hands to solve the problem, but you should be the one to solve it.
8. Stand with folded hands
Literal translation: standing with handshake
Body language is an intrinsic part of Italian culture and this idiom embodies it all. It is used to refer to people who are not working and everyone around them is busy.
Don’t sit there with your hands folded, help me lift this suitcase!
Stop standing there twiddling your thumbs and help me lift this suitcase!
9. Not being outspoken
Literal translation: no hair on the tongue
Do you have a friend or relative who speaks the truth without a filter between their brain and their mouth, and with no regard for your feelings? Then, you’ll use this Italian idiom to describe them.
Paul was outspoken.
Paul says things are the way they are / Don’t beat around the bush.
10. Have a fixed nail
Literal translation: have a fixed nail
Does it ever find itself obsessed with a certain thought or thought?In this case, Italians would say what you’ve been thinking about is yours nail.
Becoming a chef has always been my obsession.
Becoming a chef has always been my obsession.
Which Italian idiom is your favorite from the bunch? Let us know in the comments section below!
