10 Speaking expressions that all Italian​ students should know

If you want to integrate yourself in Italy you must know the expressions that I will describe in this article. Then you will thank me. 🙂

1. Fa un freddo cane
   This expression is used in Italian to say that it is so cold that only dogs would be able to stand it. The curious thing is that this expression seems to have Eskimo origins!
2. A buon mercato
   When someone says that he bought something “a buon mercato” it means that the price he paid was very cheap and convenient.
3. Di punto in bianco
   When an action is performed suddenly, spontaneously or causing a surprise, we use the expression “di punto in bianco“.
   For example: “Sara di punto in bianco si è messa a piangere”.
4. Alzare il gomito
   If a friend of ours drank too much, you could say to him: “Non pensi di aver alzato il gomito un po‘ troppo?”
   To bring the glass of wine or beer to the mouth we must make a gesture that consists in moving the arm and, consequently, also the elbow upwards.
5. Acqua in bocca!
   “Acqua in bocca” is used to ask someone not to reveal a secret.
   For example: “Non dire a Giulia che Claudio è innamorato di lei! Mi raccomando acqua in bocca!” No one is able to speak when his mouth is full of water!
6. Ridere sotto ai baffi
   Who “ride sotto ai baffi” is actually trying to hide under his mustache the movement of the smiling lips, to avoid being discovered.
7. Vuotare il sacco
   If someone “vuota il sacco“, it means that he/she has decided to tell the whole truth about a topic, to reveal every secret.
8. Avere le mani bucate
   It is said of those who always spend all their money, of those who are not able to save as if they had holes in their hands.
9. In fretta e furia
   A person who does something “in fretta e furia” not only acts quickly, but also with violence, anger. For example: “Lucio se ne è andato in fretta e furia!”
10. Fare un bidone
    “Fare un bisone” to someone means deceiving, or missing an appointment without notifying. Often, in the colloquial language, the verb “bidonare” or “tirare un bidone” with the same meaning is also used. For example: “Dovevo incontrare Anna alle 10 ma mi ha fatto il bidone/mi ha bidonato/ mi ha tirato il bidone“.

And you? Did you know these expressions? Which do you like best?