IdiomBody & Senses
Italian
Italiantogliere il fiato
Meaning: To leave someone astonished or breathless with amazement.
Literally: To take away the breath
Example: “La vista dalla cima toglie il fiato.” — The view from the summit takes your breath away.
English equivalent: To take one's breath away
Equivalents in other languages
English: take one's breath away
Origin: Something so beautiful, frightening or astonishing that it takes one's breath away leaves one literally gasping. The Hoepli dictionary records the related mozzare il fiato (to cut off the breath) and trattenere il fiato (to hold one's breath), all describing the same physical reaction to strong emotion.
More Italian idioms
- andare a nozze To be perfectly suited or to delight in something.
- calcio dell'asino A cowardly blow struck at someone who can no longer defend themselves, especially a falle…
- alle corde In a desperate or losing position, cornered.
- mela marcia A person who is corrupt or morally bad and whose influence damages those around them.
- toccare il fondo To reach the lowest point of degradation or despair; to hit rock bottom.
- mettere fuori combattimento To silence someone or exclude them from participation and influence.
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- Chi la fa l'aspetti Whoever does wrong to others should expect the same in return.
- La superbia andò a cavallo e tornò a piedi Arrogance leads to a fall.
- Chi non risica non rosica If you don't take risks, you won't gain anything.
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