The Italian language is incredibly colorful, full of vivid imagery and expressions that are often impossible to translate directly into English. In this article, we’ve gathered some of the most common Italian phrases that reveal not just the quirks of the language but also the culture behind them. These expressions are used so naturally in daily life that you might not even notice them – yet you should learn them if you want to improve your language skills and speak like a true local.
“Non avere peli sulla lingua“
The image this phrase evokes isn’t exactly pleasant… literally, it means “to not have hairs on your tongue.” It describes someone who speaks their mind bluntly, without hesitation. It’s usually a positive trait: someone who “doesn’t have hairs on their tongue” is admired for their honesty and straightforwardness, even if it can sometimes surprise outsiders.
Example: “Marco le ha detto che non gli è piaciuto come si è comportata, non ha proprio peli sulla lingua” (= “Marco told her he didn’t like the way she behaved – he really doesn’t mince his words”)
“Avere la testa fra le nuvole“
If you’ve sent your kids to school in Italy, or if you’re naturally a bit dreamy and distracted, you’ve probably been told, “Hai proprio la testa fra le nuvole”. This phrase actually has an English equivalent: “to have your head in the clouds”, and it describes someone who is dreamy, absent-minded, or lost in thought.
Example: “Potrebbe avere i voti molto più alti a scuola, ma sembra sempre avere la testa sulle nuvole” (= “She could get much better grades at school, but she always seems to have his head in the clouds“)
“Fare quattro chiacchiere“
This expression is the epitome of Italian slow living. It means “to have a little chat” or “to catch up.” Literally, it translates as “to make four chats” and evokes the idea of a relaxed, informal conversation over coffee or during a leisurely stroll. It’s usually said when taking a moment to unwind and talk in a casual setting. Sometimes, though, it can be used in a slightly more reproachful way, like “You and I really need to have a little chat.”
Example: “Ci siamo trovati per caso al supermercato e abbiamo fatto quattro chiacchiere” (= “We ran into each other at the supermarket by chance and had a little chat”)
“Fare il passo più lungo della gamba“
This phrase perfectly reflects the Italian sense of caution. During a chat with Winnifred, an expat living in Polinago whom we interviewed, we discussed how Italy has a strong culture of “protection” and “safety” in various areas – from healthcare (where prevention is better than cure) to more societal aspects, like parents being overprotective with their children.
Literally, the expression means “to take a step longer than your leg” and it’s a warning against overreaching or taking on more than you can handle.
Example. Paolo si è iscritto a tre corsi di lingua contemporaneamente, ma la sua insegnante ha scosso la testa: “Non fare il passo più lungo della gamba, scegline uno alla volta” (= Paolo signed up for three language courses at once, but his teacher shook her head: “Don’t bite off more than you can chew, pick one at a time”)
“Andare a ruba“
Literally, “to go to theft” this phrase means that something is selling like hotcakes or in extremely high demand, because everybody wants it. In fact, it comes from the verb “rubare” referring to something that disappears so fast it seems as if it was “stolen”. It’s usually used for things, but also for services.
Example: “I biglietti del concerto di Vasco sono andati a ruba in poche ore” (= Vasco’s concert tickets sold out in just a few hours)
“Ogni morte di papa“
As history shows, Italy has been influenced by the Catholic Church for decades. And although this tradition is less visible today than in the past, there are still places and cities where faith remains very strong. Speaking of which, check out our podcast about Bari – we dive into this too, especially the devotion to Saint Nicholas. For locals, he is not just a patron saint but a deeply meaningful figure whose significance transcends everything else.
However, returning to the saying “ogni morte di papa” (literally, “every pope’s death”) – this expression means “once in a very long time” or “hardly ever.”
Example: “Mangio dolci ogni morte di papa, di solito sono più attento alla dieta” (= “I only eat desserts once in a blue moon; usually, I stick to my diet”)
“Avere il prosciutto sugli occhi“
This expression (literally, “to have ham on your eyes”) describes someone who is oblivious or blind to something obvious. It’s a humorous, slightly sarcastic way to point out someone’s naivety or lack of awareness.
It’s often used in situations like when someone is in love with another person who doesn’t treat them well, yet they forgive everything, or in friendships, usually when one person is more innocent while the other doesn’t behave perfectly.
Example: “Lui l’ha tradita un sacco di volte ma lei dice che non è vero…ha proprio il prosciutto sugli occhi” (= “He’s cheated on her a ton of times, yet she refuses to admit it… she can’t see what’s right in front of her”)
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