IdiomFood & Drink
Italian
ItalianAvere le mani in pasta
Meaning: To be deeply involved in something.
Literally: To have your hands in the dough
Example: “Nel comitato del quartiere ha le mani in pasta da anni.” — He's had a finger in every pie on the neighborhood committee for years.
English equivalent: To have a finger in every pie
Origin: From making fresh pasta at home, as the Hoepli dictionary explains: the cook plunges both hands into the dough of flour, water and eggs. Someone with their hands in the dough is deeply involved in something, especially business, power or a shady affair.
Equivalents in other languages
English: have a finger in every pie
More Italian idioms
- Stare con le mani in mano To stand around doing nothing while others work.
- Non ci piove There's no doubt about it whatsoever.
- Non avere peli sulla lingua To speak bluntly and hold nothing back.
- Liscio come l'olio To go off without a hitch.
- Fare il portoghese To sneak in without paying.
- Avere le mani bucate To be a spendthrift.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
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- Chi è sazio non crede al digiuno Those who are comfortable can't understand those who suffer.
- Chi dorme non piglia pesci You snooze, you lose.
- Ogni bel gioco dura poco Even pleasant things become tiresome if they go on too long, so know when to stop.
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