nei panni di
Meaning: In the position, role, or situation of someone else; in their shoes.
Language: Italian
Literally: in the clothes of
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The literal image is of wearing another person's garments—a vivid picture of inhabiting their circumstances and perspective.
More idioms — Daily Life
- andare a nozze — To be perfectly suited or to delight in something.
- alle corde — In a desperate or losing position, cornered.
- mettere fuori combattimento — To silence someone or exclude them from participation and influence.
- mettersi al passo con i tempi — To keep up with current events or modernize one's knowledge and habits.
- battere la grancassa — To advertise or publicize something widely and loudly; to spread news or promote somethin…
- con beneficio d'inventario — To accept something with skepticism or reservations, not at face value.
More Italian idioms
- alla lontana — In an indirect or roundabout way; distantly or remotely connected.
- menare il can per l'aia — To avoid the main point by talking around the subject indirectly.
- 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.
- calcio dell'asino — A cowardly or treacherous attack from an unexpected quarter.
- a bocca asciutta — Hungry and wanting food, or disappointed and empty-handed.
From our compliments & insults
- È un mammone — An overgrown man who can't make a decision without his mother — the Italian archetype of…
- Che piagnucolone — A relentless crybaby who finds something to complain about in every situation.
- È un orso — Gruff, anti-social, and impossible to approach — they growl when spoken to and hibernate…