Fun Italian Sayings

"Sei fuori come un balcone!"



Literally: You are out like a balcony!

You are totally nuts!


"Acqua in bocca"


Literally: water in mouth

Don’t talk about this, keep it a secret.


"Fare la gatta morta"


Literally: to act like a dead cat

To pretend to be innocent or dumb while having hidden intentions


"Non avere peli sulla lingua"

Literally: not to have hair on your tongue

To talk freely without trying to be nice, or polite


"Avere un diavolo per capello"

Literally: to have a devil for hair

To be furious, mad as hell


"Essere pazzo come un cavallo"

Literally: to be crazy like a horse

To be totally crazy.


"Non tutte le ciambelle escono col buco."

Literally: Not all doughnuts come out with a hole.

Not everything happens as you wish.


"A caval donato non si guarda in bocca."

Literally: Don’t look in the mouth of a gift horse.

Accept gifts as they are, without complaining.


"Alzare il gomito"

Literally: to lift the elbow

To get wasted with alcohol


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