Essential Italian idioms for sounding natural, with the meanings and English equivalents used in everyday conversation.
andare in bestia
to fly into a rage, to go berserk
avere le spalle larghe
to have broad shoulders, to be able to take the pressure
avere una marcia in più
to have the edge, to be a cut above (lit. to have an extra gear)
avere le ali ai piedi
to be very fast, to be fleet-footed (lit. to have wings on one's feet)
a braccetto
arm in arm
a caccia di
hunting for, on the lookout for
a caldo
in the heat of the moment; immediately afterwards
a che punto siamo
where are we up to? how far have we got?
a gonfie vele
swimmingly, with flying colours (lit. with full sails)
a occhio
by eye, roughly
a pelle
instinctively, on gut feeling
a puntino
perfectly, to a T
a quel che pare
apparently, so it seems
a tutto spiano
flat out, nonstop, full blast
fare breccia
to make an impression, to win someone over
abusare della pazienza
to try someone's patience, to take advantage of someone's patience
accidenti!
damn! blast! (expressing annoyance or surprise)
toccare il cielo con un dito
to be over the moon
acqua in bocca
mum's the word, keep it secret (lit. water in the mouth)
addosso a qualcuno
on someone; right up against someone; going after someone
addosso addosso
very close together, right on top of each other
adesso o mai più
now or never
affamato di
hungry for, eager for
affari di cuore
affairs of the heart, matters of love
affare fatto
it's a deal!
per niente male
not bad at all
affrontare il nemico
to face the enemy
aggiungere legna al fuoco
to add fuel to the fire (lit. to add wood to the fire)
agguantare l'occasione
to seize the opportunity
al bacio
perfect, spot on (lit. to the kiss)
al chiarore della luna
by the light of the moon
al cospetto di
in the presence of, before
al posto di
instead of, in place of
alba nuova
a new dawn
albero della cuccagna
greasy pole (a festival game); figuratively, a land of plenty
uno per volta
one at a time
aldilà del confine
beyond the border
allargare le maglie
to loosen the rules, to relax restrictions (lit. to widen the mesh)
alle spalle di
behind someone's back
allegrezza del cuore
joy of the heart, gladness
allentare la presa
to loosen one's grip
altrimenti guai
or else there'll be trouble