25 Italian Idioms Locals Use Every Day (With Meanings and Examples)

Italian is a language that thinks in images. Wish someone luck and you send them "into the wolf's mouth"; call someone broke and they are "at the green"; warn a friend to stay quiet and you tell them "water in the mouth". These Italian idioms are everywhere in daily speech, and learning them is one of the fastest ways to sound less like a tourist and more like a local.

This guide covers 25 common Italian idioms, each with the literal translation, the real meaning, and an example. They are used across Italy in everyday conversation, so they will serve you well wherever you practice.

Idioms for Luck, Success, and Ability

1. In bocca al lupo

Literally "into the wolf's mouth". It means "good luck", and the traditional reply is "crepi" (may the wolf die).

Example: "Domani ho l'esame. In bocca al lupo!" ("I have the exam tomorrow. Good luck!")

2. Essere in gamba

Literally "to be in leg". It means to be sharp, capable, or on the ball.

Example: "Il nuovo medico è davvero in gamba." ("The new doctor is really competent.")

3. Non vedo l'ora

Literally "I do not see the hour". It means "I cannot wait".

Example: "Non vedo l'ora di rivederti." ("I cannot wait to see you again.")

4. Chi dorme non piglia pesci

Literally "who sleeps does not catch fish". The Italian version of "the early bird catches the worm".

Example: "Alzati presto, chi dorme non piglia pesci." ("Get up early, the early bird catches the worm.")

Idioms About Money and Cost

5. Essere al verde

Literally "to be at the green". It means to be broke, out of money.

Example: "Non posso uscire, sono al verde." ("I cannot go out, I am broke.")

6. Costare un occhio della testa

Literally "to cost an eye of the head". It means to cost an arm and a leg.

Example: "Quella macchina costa un occhio della testa." ("That car costs a fortune.")

7. Avere le braccine corte

Literally "to have short little arms". It describes a stingy person who never reaches for the wallet.

Example: "Non paga mai, ha le braccine corte." ("He never pays, he is so stingy.")

8. Avere la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca

Literally "to have the barrel full and the wife drunk". It means to want to have it both ways.

Example: "Non puoi avere la botte piena e la moglie ubriaca." ("You cannot have your cake and eat it too.")

Idioms About Emotions and Reactions

9. Avere un diavolo per capello

Literally "to have a devil per hair". It means to be absolutely furious.

Example: "Non parlarle ora, ha un diavolo per capello." ("Do not talk to her now, she is fuming.")

10. Cadere dalle nuvole

Literally "to fall from the clouds". It means to be completely taken by surprise.

Example: "Quando l'ho saputo, sono caduto dalle nuvole." ("When I found out, I was stunned.")

11. Avere una fame da lupi

Literally "to have a hunger of wolves". It means to be starving.

Example: "Andiamo a mangiare, ho una fame da lupi." ("Let's go eat, I am starving.")

12. Essere un pesce fuor d'acqua

Literally "to be a fish out of water". The same as in English.

Example: "Alla festa mi sentivo un pesce fuor d'acqua." ("At the party I felt like a fish out of water.")

Idioms land best when you meet them inside a real scene, not a vocabulary list. Our short stories in Italian drop expressions like these into everyday situations, which is exactly how you will hear them in Italy.

Idioms About Doing Nothing, or Doing Too Much

13. Avere le mani in mano

Literally "to have hands in hand". It means to stand around doing nothing.

Example: "Non stare lì con le mani in mano, aiutami." ("Don't just stand there, help me.")

14. Rompere le scatole

Literally "to break the boxes". A mild way to say to annoy or bother someone.

Example: "Smettila di rompere le scatole." ("Stop being a pain.")

15. Menare il can per l'aia

Literally "to lead the dog around the yard". It means to beat around the bush.

Example: "Non menare il can per l'aia, dimmi la verità." ("Stop beating around the bush, tell me the truth.")

16. Prendere due piccioni con una fava

Literally "to catch two pigeons with one fava bean". It means to kill two birds with one stone.

Example: "Così prendiamo due piccioni con una fava." ("That way we kill two birds with one stone.")

Idioms About Secrets, Truth, and Awareness

17. Acqua in bocca

Literally "water in the mouth". It means keep it secret, do not say a word.

Example: "È una sorpresa, acqua in bocca." ("It is a surprise, keep it quiet.")

18. Non avere peli sulla lingua

Literally "to have no hairs on the tongue". It means to be blunt and outspoken.

Example: "Lei non ha peli sulla lingua." ("She does not mince her words.")

19. Mangiare la foglia

Literally "to eat the leaf". It means to catch on, to realize what is really going on.

Example: "Ha mangiato la foglia e se n'è andato." ("He caught on and left.")

20. Fare orecchie da mercante

Literally "to make merchant's ears". It means to turn a deaf ear, to pretend not to hear.

Example: "Gli ho chiesto aiuto ma ha fatto orecchie da mercante." ("I asked him for help but he turned a deaf ear.")

Idioms About Luck, Mistakes, and Everyday Life

21. Toccare ferro

Literally "to touch iron". The Italian equivalent of knocking on wood.

Example: "Spero vada bene, tocchiamo ferro." ("I hope it goes well, touch wood.")

22. Piove sul bagnato

Literally "it rains on the wet". It means when it rains it pours, for bad luck or good.

Example: "Ha vinto di nuovo, piove sul bagnato." ("He won again, it never rains but it pours.")

23. Non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco

Literally "not all donuts come out with a hole". It means things do not always go as planned.

Example: "Pazienza, non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco." ("Never mind, things do not always work out.")

24. Prendere una cantonata

Literally "to take a corner". It means to make a big blunder or get something badly wrong.

Example: "Ho preso una cantonata, mi ero sbagliato." ("I made a real blunder, I was wrong.")

25. Dare buca

Literally "to give a hole". It means to stand someone up or not show up.

Example: "Mi ha dato buca all'ultimo momento." ("He stood me up at the last minute.")

How to Make These Stick

Italian idioms are vivid on purpose, so lean into the imagery:

• Picture the literal image first, then attach the meaning. A fava bean catching two pigeons is hard to forget.
• Start with the ones you can use right away, like "in bocca al lupo" and "non vedo l'ora", and work them into your week.
• Read and listen to real Italian. These expressions live in speech, and repeated exposure is what moves them from recognition to use.

To keep building, learn the difference between an idiom and a saying, see how to say hello across Europe, and compare with 30 German idioms that make no sense in English. To practice Italian expressions in context, our short stories in Italian collection is the perfect next step.