con il piede sbagliato
Meaning: To start something badly or get off to a poor beginning.
Language: Italian
Literally: with the wrong foot
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: Origin uncertain; the phrase draws on the idea of physical stumbling or missteps as a sign of poor fortune or bungled execution.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- togliere il fiato — To leave someone astonished or breathless with amazement.
- a bocca asciutta — Hungry and wanting food, or disappointed and empty-handed.
- guardarsi alle spalle — To remain vigilant and aware of dangers or threats that might come from behind.
- far battere il cuore — To cause someone to worry or to stir romantic feelings in someone.
- mandare giù — To accept or tolerate something unwillingly, often swallowing one's pride or doubts.
- battere i tacchi — To run away or flee hastily.
More Italian idioms
- andare a nozze — To be perfectly suited or to delight in something.
- calcio dell'asino — A cowardly or treacherous attack from an unexpected quarter.
- 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.
From our tongue twisters
- 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'.
- Tigre contro tigre, tigre contro un'altra tigre. — Pure 't/ig/re' drill — short and merciless; the double-g demands a crisp Italian stop.