IdiomBody & Senses
Italian
ItalianStare con le mani in mano
Meaning: To stand around doing nothing while others work.
Literally: To stand with your hands in your hand
Example: “Mentre scaricavamo il furgone, lui stava con le mani in mano.” — While we unloaded the van, he stood there twiddling his thumbs.
English equivalent: To twiddle one's thumbs
Origin: Hands resting one in the other are hands doing no work. The Hoepli dictionary defines it as idling, lazing about, doing nothing, whether by choice or because there is nothing to be done. It has no particular story behind it.
Equivalents in other languages
Japanese: 油を売る (Abura ouru) Literally: To sell oil
Romanian: A freca menta Literally: To rub the mint
Russian: Бить баклуши (Bit' baklushi) Literally: To beat the baklushi
Filipino: Nagbibilang ng poste Literally: Counting the posts
French: Bayer aux corneilles Literally: To gape at the crows
English: twiddle one's thumbs
More Italian idioms
- Non ci piove There's no doubt about it whatsoever.
- Non avere peli sulla lingua To speak bluntly and hold nothing back.
- Liscio come l'olio To go off without a hitch.
- Fare il portoghese To sneak in without paying.
- Avere le mani bucate To be a spendthrift.
- Prendere lucciole per lanterne To be completely and badly mistaken.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Hai le mani d'oro You're extraordinarily skilled with your hands — a craftsperson, cook, or fixer of legend…
- Sei una persona d'oro You're genuinely wonderful — kind, trustworthy, and precious to have in one's life.
- Che spettacolo! You look absolutely stunning — a spontaneous burst of admiration for someone's appearance.
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