L  A  T  E  S  T

INCOMING EXPRESSIONS

Svignarsela, levarsi di torno alla svelta

To take a powder (American English)

When the thief saw the police coming he took a powder.

Giustificarsi con scuse non credibili, inventare delle balle

To pitch somebody a line (American English)

...Sally never arrived and pitched me a line about a block in the traffic!

Condizioni di vita molto favorevoli, opulente

On easy street, in fat city (American English)

You're so lucky, Dave: with the new business you'll be on easy street!

If the new contract is eventually accepted, Ted will be in fat city!

Una persona determinata, un tipo tosto

A tough cookie (American English)

...Steve, please, don't get Dana upset... she's a tough cookie!

Un successo sfiorato, qualcosa non concretizzato per un pelo

Close but no cigar (American English)

Ted was not so lucky: never got the big success he desired... always close but no cigar.

"Tourist?" - "Not exactly, I am a traveller... close but not cigar!"

Sì, buonanotte! Beato chi ci crede!

Tell it to the Marines! (American English)

...Belinda an intelligent girl? Please, Ned... tell it to the Marines!

Placare, appianare

To smooth over (Phrasal verb)

Al tried to smooth things over between Mary and Marc, talking with them to make their clash less serious.

Appassionare, eccitare (passivo)

To kindle by (Phrasal verb)

Brenda's imagination was kindled by the tales Marcus told her.

Disgustare, irritare

To gross somebody out (Phrasal verb)

That bad film really grossed me out!

Dan's dirty hair grossed Lisa out.

Appioppare, affibbiare, scaricare

To thrust someone on/upon somebody, to thrust something on/upon somebody (Phrasal verb)

Did you see... Brian was trying to thrust his boring sister upon me!

Sheila never enjoyed the nickname of grinder that was thrust upon her.

The class thrust the responsibility upon the leader.

Presagi negativi

The writing (is) on the wall (for), the handwriting (is) on the wall (for)

After the scandal broke out the handwriting is on the wall for the Prime Minister…

L'inizio della fine, il segno di una rovina in arrivo

An albatross (around somebody's neck) (credited to Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

Ben's wife is so cruel… she’s an albatross around his neck!

Sotto banco, di nascosto (cose illecite)

On the QT

We found out that the dean was receiving money on the QT.

Nobody knows... Ally's trying on the QT to get a visa to enter Canada!

Fare un freddo cane

(to be) as cold as a witch's elbow

...temperature here? Oh, it's cold as a witch's elbow and we expect snow.

Essere ubriachi fradici

(to be) blind drunk

I found Mary blind drunk on the bed with a bottle of rum beside her.

Secondo la massima autorità, in linea con le regole accettate

According to Hoyle (Fred Hoyle was a popular rule book written by Edmond Hoyle, 18th Century)

The Prime Minister said that the situation is critical but under control... all according to Hoyle!

Prendere una tranvata, una sconfitta, uscire perdenti

To take it on the chin

Sean took it on the chin at the semifinal... a defeat that still rankles.

Essere fortunati nella sfortuna

A blessing in disguise

Frank... unlucky? The letter of dismissal was a blessing in disguise: the new job seems to have been made specially for him!

Prendere in giro, prendere per i fondelli

To take the piss (out of somebody)

They're always taking the piss out of Dan because he's very touchy.

"You should go to the disco more often… you such a good dancer!” – “Hey dude… are you taking the piss?”

Ten pounds for this bottle of crappy wine… that’s taking the piss!