B2vocab· 6 min· +30 XP
Italian Idioms
Idioms can rarely be translated word for word — but the pictures they paint stick in your mind. In bocca al lupo literally means "into the wolf's mouth" — and means "good luck!". The correct reply is "crepi!" ("may (the wolf) drop dead!"). Here Marina learns the most common modi di dire.
| Idiom | Literally | Actual meaning |
|---|---|---|
| In bocca al lupo! | into the wolf's mouth | good luck! |
| Non vedo l'ora | I don't see the hour | I can't wait |
| Costare un occhio della testa | to cost an eye out of your head | to cost a fortune |
| Essere al verde | to be at the green | to be broke |
| Toccare ferro | to touch iron | to knock on wood |
| Fare il ponte | to make the bridge | to take a long weekend |
Match idiom and meaning
What does the idiom really mean?
Fill in the right idiom
Translate
Finished?
Tap the button when you've worked through everything above — we'll log it so it's ready when you sign in.