Common Idioms

Every language has expressions that cannot be translated literally. Italian is especially rich in colourful idioms (modi di dire) — many of them rooted in centuries of history, food culture, superstition, and daily life. Knowing these idioms will help you understand native speakers, make your Italian more natural, and give you a window into Italian culture.

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What is an Idiom?

An idiom (modo di dire) is a fixed expression whose meaning is different from the literal meaning of its individual words. For example, "In bocca al lupo" literally means "In the mouth of the wolf" but is used to wish someone good luck.

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Essential Italian Idioms

Good Luck and Wishes

Idiom	Literal Meaning	Actual Meaning	Usage
In bocca al lupo!	In the mouth of the wolf!	Good luck!	Before exams, interviews, performances
Crepi (il lupo)!	May (the wolf) die!	Thank you! (Response to above)	Always respond this way
In culo alla balena!	In the whale's bottom!	Good luck! (Stronger version)	Informal, among close friends

Cultural Note: "In bocca al lupo" is the standard Italian way to wish good luck. Never say "Buona fortuna" — many Italians consider it bad luck, similar to saying "good luck" in a theatre in English (where you say "break a leg" instead).

Secrecy and Discretion

Idiom	Literal Meaning	Actual Meaning
Acqua in bocca!	Water in your mouth!	Keep it a secret!
Non dire una parola.	Don't say a word.	Keep quiet about it.
Muto come un pesce.	Mute like a fish.	Silent / keeping a secret.

Eagerness and Excitement

Idiom	Literal Meaning	Actual Meaning
Non vedo l'ora!	I can't see the hour!	I can't wait!
Avere le farfalle nello stomaco.	To have butterflies in the stomach.	To be nervous/excited.
Essere al settimo cielo.	To be in the seventh heaven.	To be extremely happy.

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Food-Related Idioms

Italian culture revolves around food, so it is no surprise that many idioms come from the kitchen and the table.

Idiom	Literal Meaning	Actual Meaning
Avere le mani in pasta.	To have your hands in the dough.	To be involved in something / to have influence.
Essere buono come il pane.	To be good like bread.	To be a very kind person.
Rendere pan per focaccia.	To give back bread for focaccia.	To give tit for tat / to retaliate.
Non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco.	Not all doughnuts come out with a hole.	Things don't always go as planned.
Avere il prosciutto sugli occhi.	To have ham over your eyes.	To not see what's obvious / to be blind to something.
Essere una patata.	To be a potato.	To be clumsy or bad at something.
Piangere sul latte versato.	To cry over spilt milk.	To regret something that cannot be changed. (Same as English!)
Chi dorme non piglia pesci.	He who sleeps doesn't catch fish.	You snooze, you lose.

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Body-Related Idioms

Idiom	Literal Meaning	Actual Meaning
Avere le mani bucate.	To have holes in your hands.	To spend money too freely.
Costare un occhio della testa.	To cost an eye from your head.	To be very expensive.
Essere in gamba.	To be on one's leg.	To be capable / smart / competent.
Dare una mano.	To give a hand.	To help (same as English).
Stare con le mani in mano.	To stand with hands in hand.	To do nothing / to be idle.
Avere fegato.	To have liver.	To be brave / gutsy.
Rompere le scatole.	To break the boxes.	To annoy someone. (Polite version of a ruder idiom.)
Non avere peli sulla lingua.	To not have hair on one's tongue.	To speak bluntly / to not mince words.

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Everyday Idioms

Idiom	Literal Meaning	Actual Meaning
Meglio tardi che mai.	Better late than never.	Better late than never. (Same as English!)
Chi fa da sé fa per tre.	Who does it himself does it for three.	If you want something done right, do it yourself.
Tra il dire e il fare c'è di mezzo il mare.	Between saying and doing there's the sea.	Easier said than done.
L'abito non fa il monaco.	The habit doesn't make the monk.	Don't judge a book by its cover.
Ogni morte di papa.	Every death of a pope.	Very rarely / once in a blue moon.
Prendere due piccioni con una fava.	To catch two pigeons with one broad bean.	To kill two birds with one stone.
Fare il furbo.	To play the clever one.	To try to be sneaky / to cut corners.
Piovere a catinelle.	To rain in basins.	To rain cats and dogs.

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Dialogue: Using Idioms in Conversation