IdiomBody & Senses
Italian
Italiancon il piede sbagliato
Meaning: To start something badly or get off to a poor beginning.
Literally: With the wrong foot
Example: “Ha iniziato il nuovo lavoro con il piede sbagliato, arrivando tardi.” — He started the new job off on the wrong foot by arriving late.
English equivalent: To start off on the wrong foot
Equivalents in other languages
English: start off on the wrong foot
Origin: Starting off on the wrong foot draws on the old belief that the left foot is the unlucky one, as in Latin sinister. Italian also says alzarsi con il piede sbagliato (to get up on the wrong foot) for waking in a bad mood. The phrase has no particular story behind it.
More Italian idioms
- andare a nozze To be perfectly suited or to delight in something.
- calcio dell'asino A cowardly blow struck at someone who can no longer defend themselves, especially a falle…
- alle corde In a desperate or losing position, cornered.
- 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.
- mettere fuori combattimento To silence someone or exclude them from participation and influence.
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