arrampicarsi sugli specchi
Meaning: to attempt to defend an indefensible position or grasp at straws.
Language: Italian
Literally: to climb on mirrors
Category: The Absurd
Origin: Origin uncertain; the image is of scrambling futilely on a smooth, slippery, reflective surface—effort that yields no purchase.
More idioms — The Absurd
- farsene un baffo — to not care at all; to be indifferent to something.
- pendaglio da forca — A person who deserves to be hanged; a worthless scoundrel.
- dannarsi l'anima — To work extremely hard or exert oneself to the utmost.
- come butta — What is happening; how are things going.
- a casa del diavolo — Far away; a great distance to travel; the long way around.
- sem tamanho — enormous, immensely large.
More Italian idioms
- per amore o per forza — by any means necessary; whether one wishes it or not.
- mettere radici — to settle in a place permanently or commit to something long-term.
- tirare l'acqua al proprio mulino — to act in self-interest, redirecting resources or advantage to oneself.
- tenere a freno la lingua — to refrain from speaking; to keep silent.
- in pompa magna — with ceremony, grandeur, and great fanfare.
- alle calende greche — never; at an impossible or non-existent time.
From our tongue twisters
- Apelle figlio di Apollo fece una palla di pelle di pollo e tutti i principi della città di Capua la palpeggiarono. — A wall of 'p/ll/l/a' that seems to grow longer as you speak it faster.
- Se la serpe si avvicina alla siepe del serpente, il serpente scappa dalla siepe. — A sibilant 's/se/si/sci' minefield; both words (serpe and serpente) slither through the s…
- 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.