toccare il fondo
Meaning: To reach the lowest point of degradation or despair; to hit rock bottom.
Language: Italian
Literally: to touch the bottom
Category: Nature
Origin: The phrase pictures someone in water descending until their feet can feel the bottom beneath them—a vivid image of reaching the absolute nadir.
More idioms — Nature
- 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.
- preparare il terreno — To establish the conditions or foundations that will make something possible later.
- adagiarsi sugli allori — To become complacent and stop making efforts after past successes.
- arrastar pela lama — to publicly humiliate or damage someone's reputation.
- do dia para a noite — Very suddenly or extremely quickly.
More Italian idioms
- mettere fuori combattimento — To silence someone or exclude them from participation and influence.
- dannarsi l'anima — To work extremely hard or exert oneself to the utmost.
- guardarsi alle spalle — To remain vigilant and aware of dangers or threats that might come from behind.
- qui casca l'asino — That is the crux of the matter; that is where the real difficulty lies.
- mettersi al passo con i tempi — To keep up with current events or modernize one's knowledge and habits.
- battere la grancassa — To advertise or publicize something widely and loudly; to spread news or promote somethin…
From our compliments & insults
- 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.
- Che rompiscatole — What an insufferable pest — someone who endlessly pesters and never lets you be.