IdiomThe Absurd
Italian
Italiandannarsi l'anima
Meaning: To work extremely hard or exert oneself to the utmost.
Literally: To damn one's soul
Example: “Si è dannato l'anima per finire la tesi in tempo.” — He worked his fingers to the bone to finish the thesis on time.
English equivalent: To work one's fingers to the bone
Equivalents in other languages
English: work one's fingers to the bone
Origin: To damn one's soul is to accept any effort or suffering to reach a goal. The Hoepli dictionary links it to the popular and literary tradition of the pact with the Devil, who offers a happy earthly life in exchange for the soul after death, and to the torments of the damned in Hell.
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