Fare orecchie da mercante
Meaning: To turn a deaf ear deliberately.
Language: Italian
Literally: To make merchant's ears
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: Medieval merchants conveniently 'didn't hear' haggling over their prices, picturing selective deafness.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- Chorar de barriga cheia — To complain when you have nothing to complain about.
- Положить зубы на полку — To go hungry; to tighten your belt.
- 顔から火が出る — To burn with embarrassment.
- 발 벗고 나서다 — To throw yourself into helping wholeheartedly.
- Met de mond vol tanden staan — To be tongue-tied and lost for words.
- Μασάω τα λόγια μου — To mumble and not speak plainly.
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.
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