Idioms: A MAN ABOUT TOWN – (Un uomo in giro per la città) Significato: UN UOMO DI MONDO   “Henry used to spend all his time at home studying. Now he’s become a real man about town – theatre, concerts, all the best retaurant. If there’s something happening...

Idioms: TO GRASP THE NETTLE – (Afferrare l’ortica) Significato: PRENDERE IL CORAGGIO A DUE MANI   “It’s now or never, Filippo. Grasp the nettle and go ask Laura to marry you. After all, she’s been your girlfriend for four years”   “Ora o mai più, Filippo. Prendi il coraggio a...

Idioms: CANNOT CARRY A TUNE – (Non essere capace di portare un motivo) Significato: ESSERE STONATO COME UNA CAMPANA   “Everyone is always saying that Ken can’t carry a tune, but I heard him sing the other day and I think he sings rather well”   “Tutti dicono che Ken...

Idioms: TO RUB SALT IN A WOUND – (far penetrare, frizionando, il sale nella ferita) Significato: METTERE IL DITO NELLA PIAGA   “Stop telling me I could have gt the job if I had only arrived five minutes earlier – you’re only rubbing salt in the wound.”   “Smettila di...

Idioms: TO HAVE BATS IN THE BELFRY – Avere pipistrelli nel campanile) Significato: AVERE UNA ROTELLA FUORI POSTO   “When I told herthat I like walking through bogs and marshes looking for insects, she looked at me ad if I had bats in the belfry.”   “Quando le ho detto...

Idioms: TO BE NONE THE WISER – (Non essere affatto più saggio)  Significato: NON SERVIRE A NIENTE   “Tony had to spend a night in prison for drunk driving, but he is none the wiser. Tonight he went out drinking again.”   “Tony ha dovuto trascorrere una notte in prigione...

Idioms: TO GIVE TEETH TO – (Dare i denti a…) Significato: DARE CARTA BIANCA A…   “If we don’t give Mrs Sammud teeth, how is she going to conclude the deal with the french”   “Se non diamo carta bianca alla sig.ra Sammud, come potrà concludere il contratto con i...

Idioms: NOT TO HAVE THE FOGGIEST IDEA – (Non avere la più nebbiosa idea) Significato: NON AVERE LA PIU’ PALLIDA IDEA   “Why are you asking me to name the five principal rivers of Italy. I haven’t the foggiest idea”   “Perché chiedi proprio a me di dirti quali sono...

Idioms: TO JUMP THE GUN – (Saltare prima dello sparo della pistola) Significato: SCATTARE PRIMA DEL SEGNALE DI PARTENZA – ANTICIPARE   “Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun a bit, writing that article about what Mario Cuomo plans to do as president; he hasn’t even announced his...

Idioms: TO BE THE APPLE OF ONE’S EYE – (Essere la mela dell’occhio di qualcuno) Significato: ESSERE LA PUPILLA DELL’OCCHIO DI QUALCUNO   “Dara is the apple of her mother’s eye; she would do anything for Dara.”   “Dara è la pupilla dell’occhio di sua madre. Farebbe qualsiasi cosa per...