Italian Idiomatic Expressions You Must Know!

To not keep a promise or to not confirm what was previously said.
Example:
“Se ogni volta ti rimangi le parole, nessuno ti prenderà più sul serio.”
(If you go back on your word every time, no one will take you seriously anymore.)

To resolve a conflict peacefully.
Example:
“Marco e sua moglie hanno seppellito l’ascia di guerra per il bene dei figli.”
(Marco and his wife buried the hatchet for the sake of their children.)

Example:
“Erano ricchissimi, ma sono andati in rovina per cattiva gestione.”
(They were very wealthy, but they went bankrupt due to poor management.)

To do everything possible to avoid risky situations.
Example:
“Ha capito che quegli amici erano poco raccomandabili e ha deciso di allontanarsi.”
(He realized those friends were unreliable and decided to stay out of trouble.)

It indicates a situation that crosses the line.
Example:
“Dimenticare i documenti e la riunione? È davvero troppo! Sono costretta a licenziarti.”
(Forgetting the documents and the meeting? That’s too much! I have to fire you!)

To postpone an event without specifying a new date.
Example:
“Grazie per l’invito, ma siamo fuori città. Sarà per un’altra volta!”
(Thank you for the invitation, but we’re out of town. Maybe another time!)

To stay discreet and reserved to avoid attracting attention.
Example:
“Dopo lo scandalo, Paolo ha deciso di tenere un profilo basso.”
(After the scandal, Paolo decided to keep a low profile.)

To act impulsively and enthusiastically.
Example:
“Il tirocinante ha completato il compito rapidamente. Per questo lo abbiamo assunto.”
(The intern jumped in with both feet and completed the task quickly. That’s why we hired him.)

To come out as the winner in a situation.
Example:
“Il nuotatore cinese ha avuto la meglio, superando il record!”
(The Chinese swimmer had the upper hand, breaking the record!)

It refers to plans, promises, or ideas: disappearing or dissolving.
Example:
“Il piano del truffatore è andato in fumo grazie alla polizia.”
(The fraudster’s plan went up in smoke thanks to the police.)

To be useful or advantageous in a given situation.
Example:
“L’inglese di Martina le tornerà utile per lavorare negli USA.”
(Martina’s English will come in handy for working in the USA.)

To ruin the mood of a party or situation with negativity.
Example:
“Per favore, non fare il guastafeste e lascia che ci divertiamo.”
(Please, don’t be a party pooper and let us enjoy ourselves.)

To try to fix a mistake with less-than-perfect solutions.
Example:
“Ha provato a metterci una pezza, ma tutti ormai conoscevano la verità.”
(He tried to patch things up, but everyone already knew the truth.)

To humble someone who thinks they are superior.
Example:
“La direttrice ha fatto scendere la segretaria dal piedistallo con una battuta.”
(The director knocked the secretary off her pedestal with one clever remark.)

To escalate an already tense situation.
Example:
“Invece di calmare gli animi, stai solo peggiorando le cose!”
(Instead of calming things down, you’re just adding fuel to the fire!)

Used to say that something will not take place, despite the plans. It is a quote from the masterpiece of Italian literature I Promessi Sposi by Alessandro Manzoni. The original quote includes the word “marriage,” but this can be replaced with anything else that will not happen when we use it in everyday conversations.
Example:
“Con tutti questi ostacoli, questo viaggio non s’ha da fare!”
(With all these obstacles, this trip is not meant to happen!)