IdiomBody & Senses
Italian
ItalianEssere in gamba
Meaning: To be sharp, capable and on the ball.
Literally: To be in leg
Example: “La nuova pediatra è davvero in gamba.” — The new pediatrician is really sharp as a tack.
English equivalent: Sharp as a tack
Origin: Gamba is the leg, and being in gamba is being firmly on one's legs: well, fit and alert. The Hoepli dictionary records stare in gamba as a wish for good health; in everyday speech in gamba now means capable, smart and on the ball. It has no particular story behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
English: sharp as a tack
More Italian idioms
- Non sapere che pesci pigliare To be at a complete loss what to do.
- Avere un chiodo fisso To be obsessed with one idea.
- arrampicarsi sugli specchi to attempt to defend an indefensible position or grasp at straws.
- per amore o per forza by any means necessary; whether one wishes it or not.
- mettere radici to settle in a place permanently or commit to something long-term.
- tirare l'acqua al proprio mulino to act in self-interest, redirecting resources or advantage to oneself.
Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters
Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.
- 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.
- Apelle figlio di Apollo fece una palla di pelle di pollo e tutti i principi della città di Capua la palpeggiarono. A wall of 'p/ll/l/a' that seems to grow longer as you speak it faster.
Keep exploring