IdiomBody & SensesItalian

mandare giù

Meaning: To accept or tolerate something unwillingly, often swallowing one's pride or doubts.

Literally: To send down

Example: “Ha dovuto mandare giù il rimprovero davanti a tutti.” — He had to swallow his pride when he was told off in front of everyone.

English equivalent: To swallow one's pride

Equivalents in other languages

Origin: To send something down is to swallow it, and so to accept something unpleasant without protest: non riesco a mandarla giù (I can't swallow it). English "swallow" and "stomach" are used the same way. It has no particular story behind it.

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