alle corde
Meaning: In a desperate or losing position, cornered.
Language: Italian
Literally: at the ropes
Category: Daily Life
Origin: In boxing, being driven back against the ropes of the ring means a fighter is in grave danger.
More idioms — Daily Life
- mettere fuori combattimento — To silence someone or exclude them from participation and influence.
- mettersi al passo con i tempi — To keep up with current events or modernize one's knowledge and habits.
- battere la grancassa — To advertise or publicize something widely and loudly; to spread news or promote somethin…
- con beneficio d'inventario — To accept something with skepticism or reservations, not at face value.
- perdere il filo — To lose one's train of thought or become confused about a subject during conversation or…
- smemorato di Collegno — A hopelessly forgetful person.
More Italian idioms
- mela marcia — A person who is corrupt or morally bad and whose influence damages those around them.
- toccare il fondo — To reach the lowest point of degradation or despair; to hit rock bottom.
- dannarsi l'anima — To work extremely hard or exert oneself to the utmost.
- guardarsi alle spalle — To remain vigilant and aware of dangers or threats that might come from behind.
- qui casca l'asino — That is the crux of the matter; that is where the real difficulty lies.
- far battere il cuore — To cause someone to worry or to stir romantic feelings in someone.
From our tongue twisters
- Chi è Ciccio Capece? Ciccio Capece è un capocaccia che caccia con la cacciaballa. — A 'c/ci/ccia' onslaught — Italian's hard and soft c in the same sentence, non-stop.
- Sopra la panca la capra campa, sotto la panca la capra crepa. — A beloved 'c' / 'p' rhythm trap.
- Trentatré trentini entrarono a Trento tutti e trentatré trotterellando. — An unbroken stampede of 'tr' and 't'.