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alla lontana

Meaning: In an indirect or roundabout way; distantly or remotely connected.

Language: Italian

Literally: in the distance

Category: Nature

Origin: The spatial image of distance—suggesting that connection or relevance is far-off and not direct.

More idioms — Nature

  • toccare il fondo — To reach the lowest point of degradation or despair; to hit rock bottom.
  • dove non batte il sole — In a place that is dark, hidden, or not respectable; a euphemism for somewhere very undes…
  • fuori del seminato — Off the point; irrelevant or beside the subject at hand.
  • preparare il terreno — To establish the conditions or foundations that will make something possible later.
  • adagiarsi sugli allori — To become complacent and stop making efforts after past successes.
  • arrastar pela lama — to publicly humiliate or damage someone's reputation.

More Italian idioms

  • menare il can per l'aia — To avoid the main point by talking around the subject indirectly.
  • con il piede sbagliato — To start something badly or get off to a poor beginning.
  • togliere il fiato — To leave someone astonished or breathless with amazement.
  • andare a nozze — To be perfectly suited or to delight in something.
  • calcio dell'asino — A cowardly or treacherous attack from an unexpected quarter.
  • a bocca asciutta — Hungry and wanting food, or disappointed and empty-handed.

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