IdiomAnimals
Italian
Italianmenare il can per l'aia
Meaning: To avoid the main point by talking around the subject indirectly.
Literally: To lead the dog through the courtyard
Example: “Smettila di menare il can per l'aia e dimmi quanto costa.” — Stop beating around the bush and tell me what it costs.
English equivalent: To beat around the bush
Equivalents in other languages
German: Um den heißen Brei herumreden Literally: To talk around the hot porridge
French: Tourner autour du pot Literally: To turn around the pot
English: beat around the bush
Thai: ชักแม่น้ำทั้งห้า Literally: To invoke all five rivers
Russian: ходить вокруг да около (khodit' vokrug da okolo) Literally: To walk around yes and near
Origin: The aia is the farmyard threshing floor, and leading a dog round and round it achieves nothing: the dog has no work there and the walk goes nowhere. The Hoepli dictionary defines the phrase as stalling, wasting time in idle talk or diversions to put off a decision or avoid a commitment. Its first use is not documented.
More Italian idioms
- con il piede sbagliato To start something badly or get off to a poor beginning.
- togliere il fiato To leave someone astonished or breathless with amazement.
- andare a nozze To be perfectly suited or to delight in something.
- a bocca asciutta Hungry and wanting food, or disappointed and empty-handed.
- alle corde In a desperate or losing position, cornered.
- mela marcia A person who is corrupt or morally bad and whose influence damages those around them.
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