Stare con le mani in mano

Meaning: To stand around doing nothing while others work.

Language: Italian

Literally: To stand with your hands in your hand

Category: Body & Senses

Origin: Idle hands clasped together rather than busy at a task is the Italian picture of useless inactivity.

More idioms — Body & Senses

• 腹が黒い — Scheming and malicious behind a friendly face.
• Зарубить на носу — To remember something firmly, once and for all.
• Iets onder de knie hebben — To have mastered a skill.
• اللي على راسه بطحة بيحسس عليها — The guilty person gives himself away.
• Avoir le bras long — To have influence and useful connections.
• Avoir le cœur sur la main — To be very generous and giving.

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.

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