3 Italian Idioms you should know

In this video I'm going to explain 3 Italian idioms which aren't typically taught in Italian language classes.

By watching this video, you will learn three amazing phrases that you can use when speaking Italian.

If you use them, you will definitely make a great impression! Why do I say that? Because these phrases are typically used only by Italian native speakers and by those who know the Italian language very well.

But let's not waste time and let's jump straight into the first phrase!

Round one

The first phrase I would like to explain is: "mettersi in un bel pasticcio".

I'll give you an example right away!

"In my opinion Roberto made a mistake doing that. Si è messo in un bel pasticcio. I don't know how he will get out of this situation".

What does the idiomatic phrase "si è messo in un bel pasticcio" mean? It means he put himself in a bad situation, in a situation from which it's difficult to get out.

I don't know if you know the Italian phrase "mettersi nei guai".  Well, "mettersi in un bel pasticcio" and "mettersi nei guai" are two very similar phrases.

Literally speaking, "pasticcio" refers to a type of food which is baked in the oven. The dish called "pasticcio" usually has a meat or vegetable filling which has been previously cooked.

"Mettersi in un bel pasticcio" means ending up in such filling. And therefore it figuratively means ending up in a bad situation.

You can say "mettersi in un bel pasticcio" or also "mettersi nei pasticci".

For example, I could say: "Roberto si è messo nei pasticci". Or, if Roberto is used to doing that: "Roberto si mette sempre nei pastic... - what ***** intonation! "Roberto si mette sempre nei pasticci".

Some people, instead of using the verb "mettersi", use the verb "cacciarsi". And they say: "Roberto si è cacciato nei pasticci". Or: "Roberto si caccia sempre nei pasticci".

Obviously, between "mettersi nei pasticci" and "cacciarsi nei pasticci" there's no difference whatsoever.

Next, there are also the phrases "trovarsi nei pasticci" and "essere nei pasticci". Or "trovarsi in un bel pasticcio" and "essere in un bel pasticcio". In this case, the reference is to the following step. Meaning that first an individual "si mette nei pasticci", or "si caccia nei pasticci", and then "si trova nei pasticci" or "è nei pasticci".

Incidentally, in Italian there are quite a few idiomatic phrases with the verb "mettere" and its reflexive form "mettersi".

In the past I published several video lessons about various phrases with the verb "mettere" and grouped them all in a single playlist. Up here I'm going to add a card to this playlist. If you wish to expand your vocabulary and speak Italian naturally, check it out!

But let's move on to the second idiom!

Round two

The second idiomatic phrase that I would like to explain in this episode is: "fare il diavolo a quattro".

This saying has two slightly different meanings. In other words, this phrase is used in two different ways.

First of all, the phrase "fare il diavolo a quattro" means making much noise and causing confusion, making an awful din, making a scene. That is: an individual gets angry and they make an uproar. What does it mean that they make an uproar? They start yelling.

Secondly, "fare il diavolo a quattro" may mean fidgeting a lot in order to achieve a certain goal, or working hard, also... or... - Sweet Christmas, I can't talk! Or working hard, also frantically, in order to achieve a certain goal.

An example sentence could be this: "Quando le hanno detto che non poteva avere quel giocattolo, la bambina ha fatto il diavolo a quattro".

What does it mean? It means that the girl got really angry and started screaming. Or, as we say in Italian, "ha fatto una scenata".

Another example sentence with this idiom could be: "Quando le hanno detto che non poteva entrare, Marta ha fatto il diavolo a quattro. Urlava talmente tanto che hanno dovuto chiamare la polizia".

In this case as well "fare il diavolo a quattro" means making a scene.

Another example could be this: "The insurance" - ****, it turned off! "Marco's insurance didn't want to refund him for the damage caused by the accident. Allora lui è andato lì e ha fatto il diavolo a quattro".

What does it mean? He went there and did everything he could to get what he wanted. In all likelihood, he started yelling. Someone who "fa il diavolo a quattro" is not someone asking "Could you please refund me for the damage caused by the accident?" It's not someone asking something politely. Someone who "fa il diavolo a quattro" is someone who starts shouting.

This saying has a very interesting origin.

In the past, in the theatrical plays of the Middle Age, the character of the devil wasn't played by one single actor, but by several actors at the same time. That's because, traditionally, the character of the devil had to change clothes very fast.

For example, in a certain part of the play, the character of the devil had to be dressed in a certain way, right? And then, one second later, he had to be dressed in a different way. So there were up to four actors playing the devil in different parts of the play.

This circumstance obviously caused confusion for the other actors, who saw these actors come and go from the stage. And for this reason the phrase "fare il diavolo a quattro" is associated with the idea of confusion.

Like I said, this saying is used not only in reference to an enraged or angry scene, but also in reference to someone trying as hard as they can and doing everything possible to get a certain result.

For example, I could say: "Cristina non voleva proprio accettarla la proposta. Ho dovuto fare il diavolo a quattro per convincerla".

In this sense the phrase "fare il diavolo a quattro" has a meaning similar to that of the phrase "farsi in quattro".

Some months ago I made a video precisely about this phrase and other idioms with the number 4. I'm going to add a card up here. If you wish to expand your vocabulary, check it out!

But let's see the third phrase!

Round three

The third idiom I would like to explain is: "fare di necessità virtù".

This is one of my favorite Italian phrases.

It essentially means transforming necessity into something positive, or in general adapting to an unpleasant situation and getting some benefit out of it.

I'll give you an example straight away!

"Daniele's business partner quit the project and he was forced to learn English. Ha fatto di necessità virtù".

What does it mean? Until then, Daniele didn't need to speak English, because his business partner was taking care of that part. Then, however, his partner left him and he was forced to learn English in order to do what his partner did.

So in this case an unpleasant situation of necessity has become a chance to improve. Meaning that it's quite possible that, if his partner didn't leave him, Daniele would never learn English. However, his partner left him, so he was forced to learn English and in the future he will get some benefit out of this. So from this unpleasant situation he overall gained something.

Another example could be this: "Due to quarantine and the fact that you can't go out, you will have more time to study Italian. Puoi fare di necessità virtù".

What does ti mean? Although this situation is not pleasant, you can still get some benefit out of it. Or rather, it's the situation itself which forces you to do things which otherwise you wouldn't likely do, if you could choose, but from which in the future you will get some benefit.

So the quarantine makes it impossible for you to go out, it doesn't allow you to do what you would like to do, and so to speak forces you to study. I mean, it's not that it forces you to study, it puts you in a situation where you are more inclined to study.

Well, I hope that you liked these three idiomatic phrases! If you liked them, please leave an amazing Like, so that I understand that you enjoy this type of content.

In general, if you understand Italian and wish to speak it fluently, please consider subscribing to my channel!

In the mean time, up here I'll add a video lesson that I would encourage you to watch. Check it out!

And may the Force of the Italian language be with you!