{"id":69991,"date":"2018-10-11T04:22:30","date_gmt":"2018-10-11T08:22:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/funny-italian-phrases\/"},"modified":"2025-05-27T08:55:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-27T12:55:49","slug":"funny-italian-phrases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/italian\/funny-italian-phrases\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Funny Italian Phrases"},"content":{"rendered":"

Italian is full of funny phrases<\/a> that often have very different meanings<\/a> from their literal translations.\u00a0These amusing expressions are part of what makes the language so rich and full, and they are\u00a0a perfect way to expand your vocabulary.<\/p>\n

Check out 20 funny Italian phrases below to understand what someone means when they tell you to spit out the frog.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Cadere dalle nuvole.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal translation:<\/strong> To fall from the clouds<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To be very surprised\/astounded<\/p>\n

This phrase is used to show surprise at something or someone.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can use it to express your extreme surprise. For example:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Non lo sapevo, sono caduto dalle nuvole.<\/em> (I didn’t know that, I was astounded.)<\/p>\n

2. Non avere peli sulla lingua!<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning<\/strong>: To not have hair on the tongue<\/p>\n

Meaning: <\/strong>To tell the truth<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another mouth reference that\u2019s also not to be taken literally. I mean, if there\u2019s hair on your tongue then you probably have more important things to think about than funny Italian expressions!<\/p>\n

This turn of phrase actually means\u00a0\u201cTell the truth!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

It implies that\u00a0someone might be hiding the truth<\/strong>\u00a0and it\u2019s a challenge for them to speak honestly, without having the truth caught up in the hair on their tongue.<\/p>\n

Parla senza peli sulla lingua<\/strong>! Voglio sapere cosa \u00e8 successo!<\/em> (Tell the truth! I want to know what happened!)<\/p>\n

3. Avere le braccine corte.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To have short arms<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To describe a person as “cheap”<\/p>\n

If your arms aren\u2019t long enough to reach your wallet<\/strong> (figuratively, of course\u2014not literally!) you can expect that this phrase might be tossed your way.<\/p>\n

To have short arms is another way to say a person<\/strong> is cheap<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

La mia amica ha le braccine corte. Non vuole mai pagare niente.<\/em> (My friend is cheap. She never wants to pay for anything.)<\/p>\n

4. Gettare fumo negli occhi.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To throw smoke into someone’s eyes<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To make someone oblivious to the truth<\/p>\n

Throwing smoke into someone’s eyes doesn’t seem nice, but the point is to make someone oblivious to the truth.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This expression is very similar in meaning to the English “To pull the wool over someone’s eyes.” You can also think of this expression as creating a smokescreen, to throw people off and sow confusion in place of the truth.<\/p>\n

Cerca di essere gentile e di gettare fumo negli occhi delle persone, ma parla male degli altri alle loro spalle.<\/em> (He tries to be nice and pull the wool over people’s eyes, but talks badly about others behind their backs.)<\/p>\n

5. Scoprire l’acqua calda.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To discover hot water<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To reinvent the wheel<\/p>\n

Give yourself a pat on the back: You’ve just discovered something that everyone already knew. Wait. Oops!<\/p>\n

This phrase is similar to the English saying “to reinvent the wheel” and is used in a similar way: Hai scoperto l’acqua calda, lo sapevamo gi\u00e0.<\/em> (You’ve just reinvented the wheel, we already knew that.)<\/p>\n

6. Mangi questa minestra o salti dalla finestra.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To eat the soup or jump out of the window<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Take it or leave it<\/p>\n

If there’s something you don’t want to do but you have no choice? You can eat the soup or jump out the window!<\/p>\n

In other words, take it or leave it.\u00a0<\/strong>The freedom to choose is an illusion!<\/p>\n

Non c’\u00e8 altra opzione. Mangi questa minestra o salti dalla finestra.<\/em> (There is no other option. Take it or leave it.)<\/p>\n

7. Scopa nuova spazza bene per tre giorni.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> A new broom sweeps well for three days<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Everything loses its newness sooner or later<\/p>\n

This expression has nothing to do with brooms.<\/p>\n

It conveys the meaning that everything loses its newness sooner or later.<\/p>\n

You might tackle a new task with enthusiasm and gusto but before long, that energy will inevitably die down. If you expect a new hobby, relationship, or anything new to maintain its novelty over time, then you’re bound to be disappointed.<\/p>\n

So when someone becomes absolutely obsessed with a new DIY project, maybe remind them that a new broom sweeps well for three days\u2014or just show them their room of unfinished projects.<\/p>\n

Si pentir\u00e0 di averti lasciata per un’altra ragazza. Scopa nuova spazza bene per tre giorni.<\/em> (He’ll regret leaving you for another girl. He’ll soon lose the excitement of his relationship.)<\/p>\n

8. Non si vive di solo pane.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> You don’t live with just bread<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> There’s more to life than the basics<\/p>\n

There are no dietary implications with this one, so don\u2019t worry that your carbs are on the line.<\/p>\n

When someone says you don\u2019t live with just bread, they\u2019re saying there\u2019s more to life than just the basics<\/strong>\u00a0(like bread).<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re just content with settling for the basics in life, you may be missing lots of other, potentially more interesting possibilities.<\/p>\n

Non pensarci due volte prima di viaggiare per il mondo. Non si vive di solo pane!<\/em> (Don’t think twice about traveling the world. There’s more to life than the basics!)<\/p>\n

Look further than the bread to live\u00a0la dolce vita<\/em> (the sweet life)!<\/p>\n

9. Essere in alto mare.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To be out on the open sea<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To be far from a solution, to have a long way to go<\/p>\n

This phrase literally puts you in the middle of the waters with no land in sight. It means to be far from a solution, or to still have a long way to go. <\/strong><\/p>\n

If someone asks you how your project is going at work, you might respond with: Siamo ancora in alto mare.<\/em> (We still have a long way to go.)<\/p>\n

10. Gettare la spugna.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Throw in the sponge<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To give up on something or someone, to throw in the towel<\/p>\n

Don’t toss out your cleaning supplies!\u00a0When you throw in the sponge, it means that you\u2019re giving up on something or someone.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Is a job is sucking the life from you?\u00a0Getta la spugna.<\/em><\/p>\n

Se non ti piace pi\u00f9 il tuo lavoro, \u00e8 ora di gettare la spugna. La cosa pi\u00f9 importante \u00e8 essere felice.<\/em> (If you don’t like your job anymore, it’s time to throw in the towel. The most important thing is to be happy.)<\/p>\n

A love affair going awry? Getta la spugna.<\/em><\/p>\n

11. Rompere le uova nel paniere<\/em>.\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To break the eggs in the basket<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To upset or spoil someone’s plans<\/p>\n

You know that feeling when you’re carrying eggs home from the store and you accidentally knock the bag against the doorway and hear a crack…!? That’s the feeling that this phrase conveys. It means “to upset the apple cart,” that is, to upset or spoil someone’s plans.<\/p>\n

You might use it this way: Lei gli ha proprio rotto le uova nel paniere.<\/em> (She has really upset his plans.)<\/p>\n

12. Mettere la pulce nell’orecchio (a qualcuno).<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To put a flea in someone’s ear<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To make someone suspicious, to arouse someone’s suspicions<\/p>\n

Okay, you’re not literally putting fleas in anyone’s ears. But I bet if you tried, it would definitely seem suspicious. That’s what this phrase means, after all: to arouse someone’s suspicions.<\/p>\n

If your friend accidentally hints that she went to the cafe with someone, you may say: Le sue parole ci hanno messo la pulce nell’orecchio.<\/em> (Her words aroused our suspicions.) Is it a new boyfriend? You won’t be able to shake that flea out until you find out!<\/p>\n

13. In bocca al lupo.<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Into the mouth of the wolf<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> “Break a leg!”\/Good luck!<\/p>\n

This phrase is very common and if you spend any time with native Italian speakers you\u2019ll hear it a lot.<\/p>\n

It’s the equivalent of the English expression “break a leg.”\u00a0<\/strong>For example:<\/p>\n

Domani ho un esame di italiano.<\/em> (Tomorrow I have an Italian exam.)<\/p>\n

In bocca al lupo!<\/em> (Good luck!)<\/p>\n

It wishes someone good luck<\/strong>\u2014but not with the standard\u00a0buona fortuna<\/em> (good luck).<\/p>\n

If you hear In bocca al lupo!<\/em>\u00a0you’ll know that you’re being wished well.<\/p>\n

The customary reply is crepi il lupo<\/em> (“the wolf cracks”)<\/strong> and even this reply isn\u2019t literally translated. The wish isn’t that the wolf cracks but that the wolf dies.<\/p>\n

However, in recent years the response has become\u00a0grazie <\/em>(thank you),<\/strong> because people don’t like the idea of wishing for a wolf to die!<\/p>\n

14. L’ospite \u00e8 come il pesce. Dopo tre giorni puzza.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> The guest is like a fish. He smells after three days.<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> You shouldn’t overstay your welcome<\/p>\n

This expression is a nice way of saying that you shouldn’t overstay your welcome.<\/strong> After a while, a guest starts to smell like three-day-old fish.<\/p>\n

Amo i miei suoceri, ma sono rimasti per un mese intero!<\/em> (I love my in-laws, but they stayed for an entire month!)<\/p>\n

L’ospite \u00e8 come il pesce. Dope tre giorni puzza!<\/em> (You shouldn’t overstay your welcome.)<\/p>\n

Unless you\u2019ve been invited to stay a while, I’d remember this one. I\u2019ve heard this directed toward a guest who lingered for\u2014gasp!\u2014four days!<\/p>\n

15. Sputa il rospo.<\/em>\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> Spit out the frog<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Don’t beat around the bush, just say it<\/p>\n

The Italian equivalent to the English expression\u00a0“don\u2019t beat around the bush”<\/strong> is “sputa il rospo.”<\/em><\/p>\n

In other words\u2014just say it!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Throw the figurative frog out of your mouth and say what\u2019s on your mind.<\/p>\n

Mi ha detto di non dire niente, ma non lo so… voglio dirlo ma…<\/em> (He told me not to say anything, but I don’t know… I want to say it but…)<\/p>\n

Dai, Laura! Cosa \u00e8 successo? Sputa il rospo!<\/em> (Come on Laura! What’s happened? Just say it.)<\/p>\n

16. Buono come il pane.<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> As good as bread<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> A kind person, a good person<\/p>\n

Bread is an important part of Italian gastronomy<\/a> and culture. From focaccia <\/em>to ciabatta, <\/em>Italy is famous for its delicious types of bread. So hearing someone describe you as “good as bread” is a true compliment!<\/p>\n

This saying is used in Italian to describe someone as “kind” or “good.” This is someone who is often respected by other people for their nature.<\/p>\n

Enrico, sei buono come il pane!<\/em> (Enrico, you’re so kind!)<\/p>\n

17. Avere un cervello di gallina.<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To have a chicken’s brain<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To be less intelligent, to be stupid<\/p>\n

In English, saying that someone has a “bird brain” or a “pea brain” means that they are not very intelligent.<\/p>\n

In Italian, the equivalent is to have a chicken’s brain.<\/p>\n

Sono andato all’aeroporto senza il mio passaporto e non mi hanno permesso di viaggiare!<\/em> (I went to the airport without my passport and they didn’t allow me to travel!)<\/p>\n

Giovanni, non posso crederci! Hai un cervello di gallina!<\/em> (Giovanni, I can’t believe it! You’re stupid!)<\/p>\n

18. Non vedo l’ora.<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> I don’t see the time<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To be excited about something<\/p>\n

This is a common phrase in Italian to express that you are excited about something, for example, a vacation, concert, family gathering, etc.<\/p>\n

La prossima settimana andr\u00f2 a trovare la mia famiglia in Sicilia, non vedo l’ora!<\/em> (Next week I’m going to Sicily to visit my family, I can’t wait!)<\/p>\n

19. Prendere un granchio<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> To catch a crab<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To make a [big] mistake, to make a blunder<\/p>\n

Have you ever felt embarrassed after making a significant mistake? This can be anything from interpreting a situation wrong to missing out on key information.<\/p>\n

In Italian, when you make such a mistake, you\u00a0catch a crab<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Quando l’ho visto al parco l’ho chiamato Luca ma lui mi ha detto che si chiama Lorenzo!<\/em> (When\u00a0I saw him at the park I called him Luca but he told me his name is Lorenzo!)<\/p>\n

Che imbarazzo! Hai preso un granchio!<\/strong><\/em> (How embarrassing! You made a mistake!)<\/p>\n

20. Chi dorme non piglia pesci<\/em><\/h2>\n

Literal meaning:<\/strong> He who sleeps doesn’t catch fish<\/p>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> You won’t get anything without hard work<\/p>\n

In English, we have the saying “the early bird catches the worm,” which highlights that if you really put in the effort and work hard, you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.<\/p>\n

In Italian, the saying is Chi dorme non piglia pesci<\/em>, which means “He who sleeps doesn’t catch fish.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

Maria si lamenta di non avere soldi ma non vuole lavorare.<\/em> (Maria complains about not having any money but she doesn’t want to work.)<\/p>\n

Le ho detto che chi dorme non piglia pesci.<\/em> (I have told her that she won’t get anything without working for it.)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Italian phrases don\u2019t need to be serious or even literal to be useful. Add these funny expressions into your vocabulary, speak like a native and have fun!<\/p>\n

To get even more practice with these phrases, FluentU<\/a> is one program that can show you how Italians would use them naturally in conversation.

FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n

<\/p>\r\n

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n

P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n

\r\n \"FluentU\r\n

\r\n