Liscio come l'olio
Meaning: To go off without a hitch.
Language: Italian
Literally: Smooth as oil
Category: Food & Drink
Origin: Oil's frictionless surface pictures an event proceeding perfectly smoothly from start to finish.
Equivalents in other languages
- Croatian: Ići niz dlaku — literally: To go along the fur
More idioms — Food & Drink
- Tutto fa brodo — Every little bit helps.
- Procurar pelo em ovo — To nitpick over nothing.
- 朝飯前 (Asameshi mae) — A task so easy it can be done before eating.
- 棚から牡丹餅 (Tana kara botamochi) — An unexpected stroke of good luck.
- 그림의 떡 (Geurimui tteok) — Something desirable but completely out of reach.
- 김칫국부터 마신다 (gimchitgukbuteo masinda) — To count your chickens before they hatch.
More Italian idioms
- Fare il portoghese — To sneak in without paying.
- Avere le mani bucate — To be a spendthrift.
- Prendere lucciole per lanterne — To be completely and badly mistaken.
- Rimanere in mutande — To be left penniless.
- Capire fischi per fiaschi — To misunderstand completely.
- Essere in gamba — To be sharp, capable and on the ball.
From our compliments & insults
- Sei un salame — You're a clumsy, dopey softie — said with a smile.
- Sei in gamba — You're sharp, capable, and on the ball.
- Sei un tesoro — You're a darling — precious to have around.