IdiomDaily Life
Italian
Italiangirare a vuoto
Meaning: To spin idly without accomplishing anything; to waste time in aimless activity.
Literally: To turn at empty
Example: “Senza un piano, la commissione gira a vuoto da mesi.” — Without a plan, the committee has been spinning its wheels for months.
English equivalent: To spin one's wheels
Equivalents in other languages
French: Pédaler dans la semoule Literally: To pedal in the semolina
English: spin one's wheels- French: Enfiler des perles Literally: To thread pearls
Origin: An engine or wheel that turns without load spins without driving anything. Girare a vuoto (to turn empty) is going through the motions without getting anywhere, said of a team, a discussion or a mind. It has no particular story behind it.
More Italian idioms
- adagiarsi sugli allori To become complacent and stop making efforts after past successes.
- mettere le corna To commit infidelity against a partner; to cuckold someone.
- senza capo né coda In a senseless or disjointed way; without coherence, order, or point.
- a casa del diavolo Far away; a great distance to travel; the long way around.
- Il bue che dice cornuto all'asino Said when someone accuses another of a fault that is really their own.
- Il gioco non vale la candela The effort or risk is out of proportion to what you'd gain.
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- Hai le mani d'oro You're extraordinarily skilled with your hands — a craftsperson, cook, or fixer of legend…
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