perdere il filo
Meaning: To lose one's train of thought or become confused about a subject during conversation or explanation.
Language: Italian
Literally: to lose the thread
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The phrase draws on the image of following a thread through a maze or complex argument—losing it means losing your way.
More idioms — Daily Life
- smemorato di Collegno — A hopelessly forgetful person.
- fare a scaricabarile — To evade responsibility by shifting blame to someone else; to pass the buck.
- alla carlona — In a careless, rough, or sloppy way without regard for neatness or precision.
- la bellezza di — A considerable quantity or duration of something, often used with mock admiration to emph…
- senza colpo ferire — Without any struggle, opposition, or difficulty; achieved effortlessly.
- essere di casa — To be accepted as a family member; to feel completely at home and comfortable somewhere.
More Italian idioms
- questione di lana caprina — A trivial or pointless debate that wastes time and produces no useful result.
- battere i tacchi — To run away or flee hastily.
- dove non batte il sole — In a place that is dark, hidden, or not respectable; a euphemism for somewhere very undes…
- fuori del seminato — Off the point; irrelevant or beside the subject at hand.
- a viso aperto — Openly and frankly; without deception or concealment.
- cavare le castagne dal fuoco — To help someone out of a dangerous or difficult situation, often at one's own risk or eff…
From our compliments & insults
- Sei un tesoro — You're a darling — precious to have around.
- Testa di rapa — A blockhead who isn't thinking.
- Sei una forza della natura — You're unstoppable — your energy and drive are bigger than any obstacle.