30 Italian Idioms ("Modi di Dire") Every Language Learner Should Know
Understand the Meaning and Use of 30 Essential Italian Idioms with Examples
Learning Italian isn't just about grammar and vocabulary, it's also about learning how Italians actually speak. That’s where idiomatic expressions come in. Known as "modi di dire", these phrases are often colorful, funny, and full of culture.
Here are 30 must-know Italian idioms, with explanations and examples in context. Let's dive in!
1. In bocca al lupo
Literal: In the mouth of the wolf
Meaning: Good luck
Response: Crepi il lupo! or Viva il lupo!
2. Avere le mani bucate
Literal: To have holes in your hands
Meaning: To spend money easily
3. Chi dorme non piglia pesci
Literal: Those who sleep don’t catch fish
Meaning: You snooze, you lose
4. Piove sul bagnato
Literal: It rains on the wet
Meaning: The rich get richer / the unlucky get more misfortunes
5. Fare una figuraccia
Literal: To make an ugly figure
Meaning: To embarrass oneself
6. Non vedere l’ora
Literal: To not see the hour
Meaning: To be excited about something
Non vedo l’ora di andare in vacanza!
7. Andare a gonfie vele
Literal: To go with full sails
Meaning: To go very well
8. Cadere dalle nuvole
Literal: To fall from the clouds
Meaning: To be completely surprised or unaware
9. Avere un diavolo per capello
Literal: To have a devil in each hair
Meaning: To be very angry
10. Essere al settimo cielo
Literal: To be in the seventh heaven
Meaning: To be very happy
11. Perdere le staffe
Literal: To lose the stirrups
Meaning: To lose your temper
12. Togliersi un peso
Literal: To remove a weight
Meaning: To feel relieved
13. Avere le braccia corte
Literal: To have short arms
Meaning: To be stingy
14. Essere in alto mare
Literal: To be in the open sea
Meaning: Far from finishing something
15. Costare un occhio della testa
Literal: To cost an eye from your head
Meaning: To be very expensive
16. Fare il passo più lungo della gamba
Literal: To take a step longer than your leg
Meaning: To overreach
17. Avere un chiodo fisso
Literal: To have a fixed nail
Meaning: To obsess over something
18. Andare di fretta
Literal: To go in a hurry
Meaning: To be in a rush
19. Essere tutto pepe
Literal: To be all pepper
Meaning: To be full of energy
20. Stare con le mani in mano
Literal: To stay with your hands in your hands
Meaning: To do nothing
21. Non avere peli sulla lingua
Literal: To not have hair on your tongue
Meaning: To speak very frankly
22. Mordersi la lingua
Literal: To bite your tongue
Meaning: To hold back from saying something
23. Restare a bocca aperta
Literal: To stay with your mouth open
Meaning: To be amazed
24. Tagliare la testa al toro
Literal: To cut the bull’s head off
Meaning: To make a final, drastic decision
25. Saltare di palo in frasca
Literal: To jump from pole to branch
Meaning: To change the subject constantly
26. Avere la testa tra le nuvole
Literal: To have your head in the clouds
Meaning: To be distracted or dreamy
27. Mettere le mani avanti
Literal: To put your hands forward
Meaning: To make excuses in advance
28. Far venire l’acquolina in bocca
Literal: To make saliva come to your mouth
Meaning: To make someone’s mouth water
29. Tenere il piede in due scarpe
Literal: To keep a foot in two shoes
Meaning: To try to do two conflicting things at the same time
30. Cascare dalle nuvole
Literal: To fall from the clouds
Meaning: To be shocked or caught by surprise (similar to #8)
🧠 Final Tip
Start using 1 or 2 of these idioms in your next conversation, and listen for them in Italian TV series (affiliate link), music, or YouTube videos. Little by little, they’ll become second nature, and you'll sound more like a native speaker!