IdiomAnimals
Italian
ItalianNon sapere che pesci pigliare
Meaning: To be at a complete loss what to do.
Literally: To not know which fish to catch
Example: “Con tre offerte di lavoro non sapeva che pesci pigliare.” — With three job offers, she didn't know which way to turn.
English equivalent: Not to know which way to turn
Origin: A fisherman who cannot decide which fish to go for ends up catching none. The Hoepli dictionary defines it as not knowing what to do, or being unable to choose between two or more options. It has no particular story behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
Slovak: Byť v koncoch Literally: To be at the ends
French: Ne plus savoir où donner de la tête Literally: To no longer know where to put one's head
English: at one's wits' end- English: not know which way to turn
More Italian idioms
- Avere un chiodo fisso To be obsessed with one idea.
- arrampicarsi sugli specchi to attempt to defend an indefensible position or grasp at straws.
- per amore o per forza by any means necessary; whether one wishes it or not.
- mettere radici to settle in a place permanently or commit to something long-term.
- tirare l'acqua al proprio mulino to act in self-interest, redirecting resources or advantage to oneself.
- tenere a freno la lingua to refrain from speaking; to keep silent.
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