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Tagliare la testa al toro

Meaning: To settle a matter decisively, once and for all.

Language: Italian

Literally: To cut the bull's head off

Category: Animals

Origin: One clean, final stroke ends all argument — the Italian image of a bold decision that leaves nothing to debate.

More idioms — Animals

  • 猫の額 — A very small space, especially of land.
  • Водить за нос — To deceive or string someone along.
  • Nem que a vaca tussa — No way; under no circumstances.
  • 亡羊补牢 — It's not too late to act after a setback to prevent further loss.
  • Passer du coq à l'âne — To switch topics abruptly and illogically.
  • To bury your head in the sand — To refuse to face an obvious danger.

More Italian idioms

  • Avere le mani in pasta — To be deeply involved in something.
  • Stare con le mani in mano — To stand around doing nothing while others work.
  • 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.

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