IdiomBody & Senses
Italian
ItalianAvere le mani bucate
Meaning: To be a spendthrift.
Literally: To have holed hands
Example: “Mio fratello ha le mani bucate: lo stipendio gli dura una settimana.” — My brother's money burns a hole in his pocket; his salary lasts a week.
English equivalent: Money burns a hole in someone's pocket
Origin: Hands full of holes cannot hold on to anything, and money slips straight through them. The Hoepli dictionary defines it as spending a lot, wasting money on useless or excessive purchases. French has the same image, avoir les mains percées.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Un panier percé Literally: A pierced basket
English: money burns a hole in someone's pocket
More Italian idioms
- Prendere lucciole per lanterne To be completely and badly mistaken.
- Rimanere in mutande To be left penniless.
- Tutto fa brodo Every little bit helps.
- Capire fischi per fiaschi To misunderstand completely.
- Essere in gamba To be sharp, capable and on the ball.
- Fare orecchie da mercante To turn a deaf ear deliberately.
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