IdiomDaily Life
Italian
ItalianRimanere in mutande
Meaning: To be left penniless.
Literally: To be left in your underwear
Example: “Con quell'investimento è rimasto in mutande.” — With that investment, he lost his shirt.
English equivalent: To lose one's shirt
Origin: Being left in one's underpants is being stripped of everything else: clothes, money, possessions. It is said of anyone ruined by a bad deal, a divorce or a tax bill. The phrase is colloquial and has no particular story behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
English: lose one's shirt
More Italian idioms
- Tutto fa brodo Every little bit helps.
- Capire fischi per fiaschi To misunderstand completely.
- Essere in gamba To be sharp, capable and on the ball.
- Fare orecchie da mercante To turn a deaf ear deliberately.
- Non sapere che pesci pigliare To be at a complete loss what to do.
- Avere un chiodo fisso To be obsessed with one idea.
Explore another collection: Proverbs
Short sayings of timeless wisdom from more than 50 cultures, each with its meaning and origin.
- La necessità aguzza l'ingegno Difficult situations push people to find clever solutions.
- Il riso fa buon sangue Laughing is good for your health.
- Non dire gatto se non ce l'hai nel sacco Don't claim success until you actually have it.
Keep exploring