sous la férule de

Dans Une fille d’Ève, Balzac nous explique pourquoi M. de Granville s’occupe seulement de l’éducation de ses fils et laisse ses deux filles sous la férule de sa femme dévote[…]

1978, Les problèmes des couples mariés dans La Comédie humaine d'Honoré de Balzac, page 39:

In A Daughter of Eve, Balzac explains to us why Mr. de Granville concerns himself only with the education of his sons and leaves his two daughters in the care of his devout wife […]

under the control or authority of (someone)


a tappeto

indagine a tappeto

Complice la copertura a tappeto da parte della stampa locale, la risposta dei keniani alla nostra presenza fu travolgente.

2020, Barack Obama, translated by Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, and Giuseppe Maugeri, Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

Abetted by wall-to-wall coverage in the local press, the Kenyan response to our presence was over the top.

Questi dati di mediaQuant consentono una proiezione del tutto preliminare: in questi giorni Trump copre a tappeto l'intermediazione con l'opinione pubblica e potrebbe ottenere una copertura gratuita pari a circa 200 milioni di dollari nel momento in cui le finanze della sua campagna apparivano meno solide.

2020 October 5, Mario Platero, “Trump monopolizza l'interesse dei media: pubblicità gratuita nel confronto con Biden [Trump monopolizes the media's interest: free press with comparison to Biden]”, in la Repubblica:

This data from mediaQuant allow for a completely preliminary projection: in these days, Trump is systematically covering intermediation with public opinion and could obtain free coverage equal to about 200 million dollars at the moment in which the finances of his campaign appear less solid.

done in a systematic and thorough way; wall-to-wall


al coperto

mettersi al coperto dal vento

(literally, “to put oneself under cover from the wind”)


דאז

head

דְּאָז • (d'áz)

עורך דינו דאז

יצחק רבין, שר הביטחון דאז ― yitskhák rabín, sár habitakhón d'áz ― Yitzhak Rabin, then the Minister of Defense

(formal) Then, then-, at that time: used with a noun phrase denoting a role, to clarify that the referent held the role at the time being referred to, rather than at the current time.


sulla pelle di

le piace la pittura sulla pelle di Giacomo

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see sulla, pelle, di.

Poi l'accusa di voler "minare la fiducia nel futuro vaccino. Smettetela di fare politica sulla pelle della gente".

2020 October 8, Anna Lombardi, “Kamala Harris contro Mike Pence: il dibattito. Scontro su Covid e tasse. Harris ribatte tre volte a Pence che la interrompe: "Ora sto parlando io" [Kamala Harris against Mike Pence: the debate. Clash on Covid and taxes. Harris retorts three times to Pence when he interrupts her: "I am speaking now"]”, in la Repubblica:

Then he accuses her of wanting to "undermine confidence in the future vaccine. Stop playing politics at people's peril".

at the peril of; by inducing danger with


fino da

fino dall'infanzia

indicates a spatial or temporal limit from which one starts or reaches

fino da domani

fino dalle sorgenti del fiume


mellom barken og veden

(literally) between the bark and the wood

between a rock and a hard place
between a rock and a hard place

(idiomatic) between a rock and a hard place


mellom borken og veden

Compare French entre l’arbre et l’écorce


con buona pace di

Con buona pace del fatto che già un anno fa l'Organizzazione Mondiale della Sanità tanto bistrattata da Trump denunciava il calo di vaccini come causa di un ritorno di malattie prevenibili come morbillo e poliomelite.

2020 October 10, Anna Lombardi, “Un Kennedy a capo delle organizzazioni No vax statunitensi [A Kennedy at the head of the US No-vax organizations]”, in la Repubblica:

With all due respect to the fact that already a year ago the World Health Organization so mistreated by Trump denounced the drop in vaccines as the cause of a return of preventable diseases like measles and polio.

with all due respect to
with all due respect


nell'ombra

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see nell', ombra.

in the shadow; without letting oneself be noticed

Ci sono tweet che fanno più danni di un missile, ondate di fake news che condizionano i governi più di un bombardamento, speculazioni economiche ostili e manovre politiche nell'ombra che sovvertono un Paese più di un'invasione.

2020 October 10, Gianluca di Feo, “Guerre irregolari, la strategia Usa contro Russia e Cina [Irregular war, the US strategy against Russia and China]”, in la Repubblica:

There are tweets that do more damage than a missile, waves of fake news that affect governments more than a bombing, hostile economic speculations and political maneuvers under cover of darkness that subvert a country more than an invasion.

under cover of darkness
under cover of darkness


fuori diritto

E da svariati decenni per leggere il romanzo epistolare più bello del Novecento bisognava rivolgersi a Sellerio, che nel 1996 ha pubblicato per la cura di Antonio Santucci un elegante cofanetto azzurro con tutte le lettere, ormai fuori diritto.

2020 October 10, Simonetta Fiori, “Giulia, l'amore e l'accusa di essere un "mascalzone". Le "Lettere" mai viste di Gramsci [Julia, love and the accusation of being a "scoundrel". The never-before-seen "Letters" of Gramsci]”, in la Repubblica:

And for several decades to read the most beautiful epistolary novel of the twentieth century it was necessary to contact Sellerio, who in 1996 published for the care of Antonio Santucci an elegant blue box with all the letters, now beyond copyright.

(law) after the expiration of copyright law's protection (of a work); after/beyond copyright


for myself

But for myself I do not regard mediumship very favourably.

1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 276:

According to one's own opinion or preferences.


a immagine e somiglianza di

Literally, “at image and resemblance of”.

lit

Segregate sono le discussioni che abbiamo qui, una sera i repubblicani, un'altra i democratici, a immagine e somiglianza di una nazione lacerata, ormai tribale, dove ogni metà è spaventata all'idea della vittoria dell'altra.

2020 October 11, Federico Rampini, “Il fattore paura nel lacerato Wisconsin, arbitro del voto Usa [The fear factor in the torn Wisconsin, arbiter of the US vote]”, in la Repubblica:

The discussions we have here are segregated, one evening the Republicans, another the Democrats, in the image and likeness of a torn, by now tribal, nation where each half is scared at the idea of the other's victory.


all'insegna di

È l'idea di società multietnica portata all'estremo che le fa paura: il passato dei bianchi riletto in chiave criminale, tutto all'insegna del razzismo.

It is the idea of a multi-ethnic society brought to the extreme that scares her: the past of whites reinterpreted in a criminal light, all under the banner of racism.

in a way characteristic of; according to the principles of; in the spirit of; under the banner of


per definizione

Primo: ogni emergenza è per definizione provvisoria. Non a caso il Codice ne stabilisce la durata massima: 12 mesi, prorogabili per non più di altri 12 mesi.

2020 October 13, Michele Ainis, “Stato d'emergenza, il confine fragile tra potere e libertà [State of emergency, the fine line between power and liberty]”, in la Repubblica:

First: every emergency is by definition provisional. It is no coincidence that the Law establishes the maximum duration for it: 12 months, extendable by no more than another 12 months.


sul personale

metterla sul personale

to take it personally (literally, “put it personally”)

Anche Joe Biden la butta sul personale: "Quanti di voi, come me, non hanno potuto abbracciare i nipotini negli ultimi sette mesi?".

2020 October 13, Federico Rampini, “Battaglia per i voti over 65: l'ultima sfida Trump-Biden [Battle for the over-65 vote: the last Trump-Biden challenge]”, in la Repubblica:

Even Joe Biden is taking it personally: "How many of you, like me, have not been able to hug our grandchildren in the last seven months?".


in corsa

devono sapere che l'attività sia ancora in corsa

they have to know that the business is still running

una macchina in corsa

La novità è che fino a un mese fa i due settuagenari in corsa per la Casa Bianca facevano a gara per mostrarsi giovanili e in forma; Biden ha dovuto rintuzzare accuse di "senilità".

The novelty is that until a month ago, the two septuagenarians running for the White House were competing to show themselves as young and in shape; Biden had to cut back on accusations of "senility".


a ruota

Non è un caso se Trump stasera parla in Florida, due giorni dopo un comizio nello stesso Stato; seguito a ruota da Biden che ha visitato la Florida a 24 ore di distanza.

It is no coincidence that Trump is speaking in Florida tonight, two days after a rally in the same state; followed soon after by Biden who visited Florida 24 hours later.

(figurative, by extension) immediately after


fuori concorso

Literally, “out of contest”. Compare French hors concours.

at a competition, but not aiming to win a prize


in onda

Uno dei volti più popolari d'America, la conduttrice del Today show in onda sulla Nbc. Entra ogni mattina nelle case di milioni di americani.

2020 October 16, Raffaella Scuderi, “"Lei è il presidente, non lo zio pazzo". Chi è Savannah Guthrie, la conduttrice che ha messo all'angolo Trump ["You are the President, not the crazy uncle". Who is Savannah Guthrie, the [TV] host who cornered Trump]”, in la Repubblica:

One of the most popular faces of America, the host of the Today show on the air on NBC. She comes in every morning into the houses of millions of Americans.


fuori testo

disegno fuori testo

(relational) plate (printed on paper different from the source text)


in parallelo

collegamento in parallelo

Difficile valutare l'impatto televisivo sul pubblico di un duello oratorio combattuto in parallelo e a distanza.

2020 October 16, Mario Platero, “La pacatezza riflessiva di Biden e la confusione studiata di Trump: perché il presidente ha perso il duello tv a distanza [Biden's reflective calmness and Trmup's studied confusion: why the President lost the distanced TV duel]”, in la Repubblica:

Difficult to evaluate the television impact on the audience of an oratory duel fought in parallel and at a distance.

(also electricity, computing) in parallel; parallel


of one's own

I've always wanted a room of my own.

Belonging to oneself and to nobody else.


in a world of one's own

In a state of deep thought that makes the thinker appear disconnected from reality.


like a drowned rat

to look like a drowned rat

(simile, informal) Soaked to the point of being highly unattractive; bedraggled.


in fiore

Literally, “in flower”. Compare French en fleur.

Le verdi colline in fiore sono tonde e morbide come seni.

2013, John Steinbeck, translated by Sergio Claudio Perroni, Furore [The Grapes of Wrath], Bompiani, page 361:

The full green hills are round and soft as breasts.

(figurative, by extension) in a state of flourishing; prosperous, flowering


above the fray

Uninvolved in a difficult argument or struggle.

Near-synonym: aloof

(by extension) having an affectedly nonchalant or mature attitude about a dispute seen as petty.


a pezzi

tagliare a pezzi

cadere a pezzi

to pieces
into a state of emotional breakdown

Ma' disse, dura: "Non te lo puoi permettere di scoraggiarti. Questa famiglia è a pezzi. Non te lo puoi permettere proprio".

2013, John Steinbeck, translated by Sergio Claudio Perroni, Furore [The Grapes of Wrath], Bompiani, page 365:

Ma said fiercely, "You ain't got the right to get discouraged. This here fambly's goin' under. You jus' ain't got the right."


sotto sotto

Pa' non ha detto niente, ma sotto sotto è fuori dalla grazia di Dio. Me la vuole fare pagare.

2013, John Steinbeck, translated by Sergio Claudio Perroni, Furore [The Grapes of Wrath], Bompiani, page 367:

Pa, he didn' say nothing but he's mad now. He'll show me now.

sotto sotto ero felicissimo

sotto sotto complottava per uccidermi


sulla bocca di

Da settimane il videogioco multigiocatore Among Us, ambientato su una navicella spaziale dalla grafica vintage, è sulla bocca di chiunque giochi online – anche soltanto come passatempo.

2020 October 21, Viola Stefanello, “Ocasio-Cortez spopola con un videogioco su Twitch per fare campagna a favore di Biden [Ocasio-Cortez draws crowds with a video game on Twitch to campaign for Biden]”, in la Repubblica:

For weeks the multiplayer game Among Us, set on a space ship with vintage graphics, is on the lips of anyone who plays online – even just as a pastime.

broadly known and discussed; on the lips of


in combutta

Per i repubblicani al Senato, per FoxNews e per i numerosi blog conservatori che in queste due ultime settimane stanno riempiendo con centinaia di messaggi le email degli elettori americani, è la prova provata che Biden sarebbe in combutta con la Cina, il grande nemico che Trump combatte in prima linea.

2020 October 21, Alberto Flores D'Arcais, “Usa, il New York Times: "Trump ha un conto corrente in Cina e lì ha pagato tasse" [US, the New York Times: "Trump has a bank account in China and has paid taxes there"]”, in La Repubblica:

For Republicans in the Senate, for FoxNews and for numerous conservative blogs that in the last two weeks have been filling up with hundreds of emails from American voters, it is proof that Biden is in cahoots with China, the great enemy that Trump is fighting on the front line.


in ossequio a

in ossequio allo stile di scrittura

In ossequio alle regole della pandemia - con Biden e i democratici che invitano a seguirle rigidamente - ci sarà un numero limitato di posti (e relativi biglietti), riservati ai sostenitori di "Sleepy Joe" selezionati dai locali funzionari del partito democratico.

2020 October 20, Alberto Flores D'Arcais, “Usa 2020, i jolly sono Barack e Melania. Ma all'ultimo momento la First Lady dà forfait [US 2020, the jollys are Barack and Melania. But at the last minute the First Lady gives up]”, in la Repubblica:

In observance of the rules of the pandemic - with Biden and the Democrats calling for strict adherence - there will be a limited number of seats (and relative tickets), reserved for the supporters of "Sleepy Joe" selected by local Democratic Party officials.

out of respect for, in obedience to, in observance of


a bocce ferme

In questi giorni lo ha anche messo per iscritto: rapporti ora di Goldman Sachs - "a bocce ferme una vittoria di Biden ci incoraggerà a cambiare in meglio le nostre previsioni di crescita" - o di Ubs - "I mercati temevano una vittoria di Biden, ma oggi temono di più una crisi istituzionale" - confermano che il vento è cambiato.

2020 October 22, Mario Platero, “Ma Wall Street tifa per gli aiuti del piano Biden [But Wall Street is rooting for the aid of the Biden plan]”, in la Repubblica:

In these days it even put it in writing: Goldman Sachs now reports - "after the dust settles a Biden victory will encourage us to change our growth forecasts for the better" - or UBS - "The markets feared a Biden victory, but today they are more afraid of an institutional crisis" - they confirm that the wind has changed.

when the situation is clear; after the dust settles


on the otherhand

on the other hand
on the other hand#English


by extension

He argued that the failure of a democratic government, by extension, meant the failure of the people.

(logic) Used to connect the internal logic of two statements.

(linguistics, semantics) In the broad sense; broadly


på sparlåga

(idiomatic) on the back burner (reduced to a lower intensity of activity or attention; deprioritized)


a più riprese

A livello internazionale, i rappresentanti degli Stati Uniti hanno a più riprese lottato per eliminare dal linguaggio dei trattati e delle dichiarazioni di organi come l'OECD e l'ONU ogni riferimento a termini ritenuti ambigui, come "salute sessuale e riproduttiva" o "pianificazione familiare".

2020 October 23, Viola Stefanello, “Il cartello internazionale degli anti-abortisti: gli Usa lanciano la sfida all'Onu [The international anti-abortionist cartel: the US launches the challenge to the UN]”, in la Repubblica:

At the international level, US representatives have on several occasions fought to eliminate from the language of the treaties and declarations of bodies such as the OECD and the UN any reference to terms deemed ambiguous, like "sexual and reproductive health" or "family planning".


з іншого боку

head

з і́ншого бо́ку

з і́ншого бо́ку • (z ínšoho bóku)

з і́ншого бо́ку (canonical)
z ínšoho bóku (romanization)

[z ˈinʃɔɦɔ ˈbɔkʊ]


з одного боку

з одно́го бо́ку

з одно́го бо́ку • (z odnóho bóku)

з одно́го бо́ку (canonical)
z odnóho bóku (romanization)

[z ɔdˈnɔɦɔ ˈbɔkʊ]


a suono di

Literally, “at sound of”. Compare French au son de.

camminare a suono di musica

te lo farò capire a suono di legnate

(literally, “I will make you understand via the sound of beatings”)

(idiomatic, also figurative) accompanied by the sound of


a suon di

Principi già martellati dalla propaganda, come quello di "autosufficienza" - qualcuno direbbe autarchia - nei settori tecnologici strategici, da conquistare a suon di investimenti miliardari, e di "doppia circolazione" - con il mercato interno da valorizzare rispetto alle esportazioni - risponderanno all'imperativo di mettere la crescita cinese al riparo dalle turbolenze internazionali.

2020 October 24, Filippo Santelli, “Cina, Xi alza i toni della sfida: "Combatteremo la guerra con la guerra" [Cina, Xi raises the tone of the challenge: "We will fight war with war"]”, in la Repubblica:

Principles already hammered by the propaganda, like that of "self-sufficiency" - some would say autarchy - in the strategic technological sectors, to conquer at the sound of billion-dollar investments, and of "double circulation" - with the internal market to be evaluated with respect to exports - will respond to the imperative of putting the Chinese growth to safety against international turbulence.


a termine

Literally, “at end”. Compare French à terme.

contratto a termine

vendita a termine

Biden: "Io farei la transizione abbandonando l'industria petrolifera. Il petrolio inquina tanto. Va sostituito con l'energia rinnovabile, a termine".

2020 October 24, Federico Rampini, “Biden scivola sul petrolio. E Trump spera nel voto operaio [Biden slips up on petroleum. And Trump hopes on the working-class vote]”, in la Repubblica:

Biden: "I would do the transition by abbandoning the petroleum industry. Petroleum pollutes a lot. It will be substituted with renewable energy, over time".


fuori tempo massimo

Gli scandali che Trump cerca di usare contro Biden — sugli affari del figlio Hunter — forse arrivano fuori tempo massimo.

2020 October 25, Federico Rampini, “Comizi, folle e applausi, Trump scommette sulla rimonta finale [Rallies, crowds and applause, Trump is betting on the final comeback]”, in la Repubblica:

The scandals that Trump tries to use against Biden — on his son Hunter's business — may be arriving too late.

(figurative, also sports) outside a deadline or time limit; too late


under hack

If, for example, you pay your mess bills with checks which repeatedly bounce, why shouldn't you get ten days under hack, or a court martial? If you say you have insurance, and then don't, why shouldn't the commanding general recommend you for a general court martial?

1984, The Marine Corps Gazette, page 25:

Sometimes they got in the way and were "thrown in the brig" by Marines, or "confined to quarters" and "put under hack" by a kind, but firm father.

1989, Verle E. Ludwig, U.S. Marines at Twentynine Palms, California, page 90:


on lobby terms

(UK, politics) Communicated by a political source to the press on the understanding that the source will not be named.


fino al midollo

Literally, “down to the marrow”. Compare French jusqu’à la moelle.

Il popolo americano sembra "keynesiano" fino al midollo.

2020 October 26, Federico Rampini, “Americani popolo di consumatori: chi risparmia deprime la crescita [Americans population of consumers: who saves deprives [economic] growth]”, in la Repubblica:

The American population seems "Keynesian" to the bone.


out of rack

(film) Misaligned so that partial frames are seen on screen instead of the proper projection.


dans le collimateur

LL-Q150 (fra)-LoquaxFR-dans le collimateur.wav

avoir quelqu’un dans le collimateur


di ultima istanza

tribunale di ultima istanza

datore di lavoro di ultima istanza


in ultima istanza

Ma prima ancora, nel caso di un'elezione contestata, i ricorsi sul voto potrebbero risalire fino alla Corte suprema, facendone in ultima istanza l'arbitro della corsa alla Casa Bianca.

2020 October 26, Federico Rampini, “Svolta alla Corte suprema: Barrett giudice. Trump vince e punta ai voti conservatori [Turning point at the Supreme Court: Barrett judge. Trump wins and aims for conservative votes]”, in la Repubblica:

But even earlier, in the case of a contested election, the appeals on the vote could go up to the Supreme Court, making it on the last appeal the arbiter of the race to the White House.

(figurative, by extension) in the last resort


in termini di

efficienza in termini di costi

cost efficiency (literally, “efficiency in terms of costs”)

Il nuovo decreto "mobilita una massa consistente di risorse: 5,4 miliardi in termini di indebitamento netto, 6,2 miliardi in termini di saldo netto da finanziare", precisa Gualtieri.

2020 October 27, Rosaria Amato, Flavio Bini, Valentina Conte, “Via libera al decreto Ristori da oltre 5 miliardi. Conte: "Non ci sono lavoratori di serie A e serie B". Gualtieri: "I soldi arriveranno entro il 15 novembre". [Go-ahead to the Relief decree of over 5 billion. Conte: "There are no first- and second-class workers". Gualtieri: "The money will arrive by 15 November".]”, in la Repubblica:

The new decree "mobilizes a substantial mass of resources: 5.4 billion in terms of net debt, 6.2 billion in terms of net balance to be financed", specifies Gualtieri.


a spese di

Le sei settimane devono essere collocate nel periodo ricompreso tra il 16 novembre 2020 e il 31 gennaio 2021 e riguardano tutte le attività che hanno richiesto le 9 settimane aggiuntive previste nell'ultimo decreto agosto, ed è gratuita - cioè interamente a spese dello Stato - per le attività interessate direttamente dall'ultimo dpcm.

The six weeks have to be placed in the period between 16 November 2020 and 31 January 2021 and reguard all the activities that required the additional 9 weeks provided for in the last August decree, and is free - which is to say at the expense of the state - for the activities directly affected by the last DPCM.


in arrivo

In arrivo poi nuove risorse per il mondo della cultura, con 100 milioni per incementare il fondo per la cultura a sostegno delle librerie e dell'intera filiera dell'editoria.

New resources will then be on the way for the world of culture, with 100 million to increase the culture fund to support bookstores and the entire publishing chain.

(idiomatic) about to come or arrive; arriving, incoming, on the way


in tasca

ha le mani in tasca

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, tasca.

Dove ha ostentato ottimismo, pur dicendo di non sentirsi la vittoria in tasca, ma solo perché "superstizioso".

2020 October 27, Anna Lombardi, “Afroamericano ucciso, s'infiamma la battaglia per la Pennsylvania [African-American killed, the battle for Pennsylvania is ignited]”, in la Repubblica:

Where he feigned optimism, even saying he didn't feel that the victory is in the bag, but only because he's "superstitious".

(idiomatic) in the bag (certain to occur)


a chiamata

auto a chiamata

Una legge californiana del 2019 richiede infatti che le aziende che si basano sul lavoro a chiamata – come i servizi di trasporto privato Uber, Lyft e DoorDash – trattino i propri lavoratori come dipendenti piuttosto che come appaltatori indipendenti, assicurando loro salari minimi e tutele.

2020 October 28, Viola Stefanello, “Lupi, droghe e aborto: gli altri voti del 3 novembre negli Usa [Wolves, drugs and abortion: the other votes of 3 November in the US]”, in la Repubblica:

A 2019 California law requires, in fact, that businesses based on jobs on call – like the private transport services Uber, Lyft and DoorDash – treat their workers as employees rather than independent contractors, ensuring them minimum wages and protections.


in sede di

in sede di esami

while a particular activity is being carried out; during

E per questo "l'impegno del governo si dispiega sin dall'inizio della pandemia, anche in sede Ue. Senza una risposta coordinata dell'Europa e sul piano globale nessuno Stato può superare la crisi sia sul piano sanitario che economico", ha spiegato il premier.

2020 October 29, “Covid, Conte in Aula. Il dem Marcucci: "Verifica di maggioranza", Ma Zingaretti arriva lo stop: "Piena fiducia al governo" [Covid, Conte in the Chamber. Dem Marcucci: "Majority verification", But Zingaretti stops it: "Full confidence in the government"]”, in la Repubblica:

And because of this "the government's commitment has been unfolding since the very beginning of the pandemic, even within the EU. Without a coordinated answer in Europe and at a global scale, no state can overcome the crisis either at a health or economic level", explained the Premier.

in the context of a particular venue; within


a prezzo di

"Vorrei ribadire che la scelta di sospendere o ridurre le attività in alcuni settori non deriva dal mancato rispetto di misure di sicurezza, che sono state adottate anche a prezzo di sacrifici, ma una scelta così radicale e dolorosa è legata all'esigenza di ridurre un contagio diffuso e esponenziale, riducendo le occasioni di socialità, specie in quei contesti in cui è più facile che venga abbassata la guardia".

"I would like to reaffirm that the choice to suspend or reduce business in certain sectors is not derived from a lack of respect for safety measures, that have been adopted even at the cost of sacrifices, but a choice so radical and painful is tied to the need to reduce a widespread and exponential contagion, reduce social occasions, especially in these contexts in which it is easier to let one's guard down".


all'origine di

Prima di arrivare agli scenari da thriller per la sera del 3 novembre, l'attenzione degli ultimi giorni si concentra sui soliti sospetti: quegli elettori fluttuanti negli Stati contesi, che furono all'origine dello shock del 2016.

2020 October 29, Carlo Bonini et al., “L'America sceglie [America chooses]”, in la Repubblica:

Before coming to the thriller scenarios for the night of November 3, the last few days' attention has been concentrated on the typical suspects: those wavering voters in the contested states, who were at the bottom of the shock of 2016.


per effetto di

A seguire, per effetto dei lockdown, abbiamo avuto la più grave crisi economica a memoria dei viventi, forse seconda solo alla Grande Depressione degli anni Trenta.

Following that, owing to the lockdowns, we had the gravest economic crisis in memory of the living, maybe second only to the Great Depression of the 1930s.


in regola

Literally, “in rule”. Compare French en règle.

ho provato di mettere in regola l'ufficio

tenere in regola i pagamenti

Siamo in regola coi permessi e avvertiamo sempre le autorità: eppure ci accusano di plagiare degli incapaci.

2020 October 30, Anna Lombardi, “Georgia, sul bus al seggio con gli afroamericani. "L'elezione si decide qui" [Georgia, on the bus to the polling station with African-Americans. "The election is decided here"]”, in la Repubblica:

We are in compliance with the permits and we always advise the authorities: and yet they still accuse us of exerting undue influence over the incompetent people.

siete in regola con la magistratura?

are you in good standing with the judiciary?


a disposizione

Literally, “at disposal”. Compare French à disposition.

tempo a disposizione

free time (literally, “time at one's disposal”)


in pericolo di vita

Il prete è stato poi trasportato in ospedale dove si trova in rianimazione, in pericolo di vita.

2020 October 31, Katia Riccardi, “Francia, Lione: prete ortodosso ferito da due colpi d'arma da fuoco [France, Lyon: Orthodox priest wounded from two gunshorts]”, in la Repubblica:

The priest was then transported to a hospital where he is in intensive care, in peril of his life.

(idiomatic) in a life-threatening situation; in peril of one's life


sul posto

ci vediamo sul posto!

studiare l'inglese sul posto

Testimoni sul posto hanno affermato di aver udito due colpi di arma da fuoco: "Gli hanno sparato due volte allo stomaco".

Witnesses at the scene said they heard two gunshots: "They shot him twice in the stomach".


in viaggio

mettersi in viaggio

to start off (literally, “put oneself on a journey”)

mi sono messo in viaggio a America

(literally, “I put myself on a trip to America”)

Il primo ministro Jean Castex, in viaggio a Saint-Etienne du Rouvray, ha annunciato che tornerà immediatamente a Parigi dove è stata aperta un'unità di crisi presso il ministero dell'Interno.

Prime Minister Jean Castex, travelling/traveling to Saint-Etienne du Rouvray, announced that he will return immediately to Paris where a crisis unit has been opened at the Ministry of the Interior.

(also figurative) (also with a) on a trip or journey (to); travelling (to)

(slang) on an hallucinogenic trip; tripped out, high


au son de

Literally, “at the sound of”. Compare Italian a suono di.

to the sound of, accompanied by the sound of


d'intesa

occhiata d'intesa

knowing glance (literally, “glance of understanding”)

D'intesa con le regioni, il governo Merkel ha decretato la scorsa settimana la chiusura di ristoranti, locali notturni, bar, teatri, cinema, musei, palestre a partire da oggi e su tutto il territorio nazionale, insieme alla riduzione degli incontri privati al massimo due famiglie o nuclei di conviventi.

2020 November 2, Tonia Mastrobuoni, “Coronavirus in Germania, Merkel: "Se rispettiamo le regole, Natale in famiglia e non in solitudine" [Coronavirus in Germany, Merkel: "If we respect the rules, Christmas with the family and not alone"]”, in la Repubblica:

In agreement with the regions, the Merkel government decreed last week the closure of restaurants, night clubs, bars, theaters, movie theaters, museums, gyms beginning today and across the entire national territory, together with a reduction of private encounters at maximum two families or families of cohabitants.


con beneficio d'inventario

Prepariamoci dunque a prendere exit poll, proiezioni e spoglio dei voti col beneficio d'inventario.

2020 November 3, Mario Contini, “Il giorno della verità: l'America alle urne per la sfida più incerta. Ma una notte non basterà [The day of truth: America at the ballot boxes for the more uncertain challenge. But one night will not be enough]”, in la Repubblica:

Let's get ready therefore to take exit polls, projections and the vote count with a grain of salt.

with a grain of salt
with a grain of salt


in alto mare

(idiomatic) far from a conclusion or resolution; unsettled; up in the air


all'undicesima ora

at the eleventh hour
at the eleventh hour


in sospeso

Literally, “in suspense”. Compare French en suspens.

questione in sospeso

Così il dato, invece di fare chiarezza, finisce per lasciare tutto in sospeso.

2020 November 3, Massimo Basile, “Elezioni Usa, i sondaggisti temono il ribaltone [US election, pollsters fear a sudden reversal]”, in la Repubblica:

Thus the data, instead of clarifying, ends up leaving everything unsettled.

without a clear definition; unsettled, pending

la trama ti tiene in sospeso


nell'aria

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see nell', aria.

Era nell'aria, perché ormai da due decenni l'elettorato americano è sempre più polarizzato, diviso in tribù che si considerano reciprocamente nemiche, non più soltanto avversarie.

It was up in the air, because for by now two decades, the American electorate has been increasingly polarized, divided in tribes that reciprocally consider each other enemies, not anymore only adversaries.


a freddo

Literally, “at cold”. Compare French à froid.

l'insalata si mangia a freddo

in the cold light of day
in the cold light of day

E visto soprattutto come il "virus cinese" e l'esplosione della protesta anti-razzista seguita all'uccisione a freddo di George Floyd da parte di un poliziotto bianco a Minneapolis, abbiano alimentato, condizionato e deciso la sfida elettorale.

2020 November 4, Alberto Flores D'Arcais, “Elezioni Usa 2020: "Noi afroamericani, al voto in massa per una società diversa" [US election 2020: "We African-Americans, voting en masse for a different society"]”, in la Repubblica:

And seeing how, above all else, the "Chinese virus" and the explosion of anti-racist protest following the killing in cold blood of George Floyd by a white police officer in Minneapolis, have fueled, conditioned and decided the electoral challenge.


a un passo da

Joe Biden è a un passo dalla Casa Bianca ma Donald Trump tenta di sbarrargli la strada con una raffica di azioni legali.

2020 November 5, Maurizio Molinari, “Rivoluzione in quattro atti [Revolution in four years]”, in la Repubblica:

Joe Biden is one step away from the White House but Donald Trump is trying to block his way with a flurry of lawsuits.

(idiomatic) one step away from; very close to


in of itself

in and of itself
in and of itself#English


for the lols

Then there's the stuff Bowie read for the lols, for example the book he and his childhood friend Geoff MacCormack amused themselves by reciting chunks from on an Amtrak train from Philadelphia to Los Angeles in September 1974—a pornographic novel called Yodel in the Canyon.

2019, John O’Connell, Bowie's Bookshelf, →ISBN:


als een ketter

Literally, “like a heretic”. Originally mainly used in verbal phrases like vloeken als een ketter (“to curse like a sailor”), cf. English curse like a pagan.

Ik snuif als een ketter; en daar ligt ook al myn talent niet! Dan nies ik de pen uit myn hand, en wel eens (zo als gy ziet,) een inktvlek op 't papier. Dan valt de snuif in myn keel, en ik hoest en baljaar de heele buurt by malkander; dan stoot ik het Eau de Luce flesje om, en weet myne oogen niet te bergen van de bytende scherpte.

1784, Aagje Deken, Betje Wolff, “Zevende brief. Mejuffrouw Alida Leevend aan Mejuffrouw Petronella Renard”, in Historie van den heer Willem Leevend, volume 3, page 36:

I sniff snuff like a madwoman, and I am not talented at that either! Then I sneeze and let my pen drop from my hand, and sometimes (as you see) I cause an inkdrop to fall onto the paper. Then the snuff falls into my throat, and I'm coughing and making an uproar until the entire neighbourhood shows up; then I knock over the bottle of Eau de Luce and I cannot manage to shield my eyes from the irritating sharpness.

Doch, daar toevalligerwijs de koster der gemeente {{{1}}} heette, en geen der boeren het minste denkbeeld had van hetgeen kok anders beteekenen kon, kwam weldra het gerucht in omloop, dat de koster van den Koning reeds aangekomen was en gevloekt had als een ketter.

1841, “De koning en de landlieden in Zweden ten tijde van Gustaaf den IV”, in Vaderlandsche letteroefeningen, page 448:

Roken is in de meest letterlijke zin Svevo's lust en leven. Van jongsafaan tot op zijn sterfbed - alleen de ultime sigaret wordt hem vlak voor zijn sterven onthouden - rookt hij als een ketter.

1978, Mia Meijer, “Italo Svevo: zakenman - schrijver”, in De Revisor, volume 5, page 32:

Smoking is in the most literal sense Svevo's purpose in life. From his young years up to his deathbed — only the ultimate cigarette is denied to him right before his dying breath — he smokes like Thomas the Tank Engine.

Generic intensifying phrase mainly used to modify verbs, usually relating to vices or with a negative or derogatory connotation: like crazy, like a madman

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see als, een, ketter.


per prima cosa

per prima cosa dobbiamo controllare la malattia

first of all we have to put the disease under control


dalla propria parte

l'hai dalla tua parte

siete sempre stati dalla mia parte

(literally, “always been in support of me”)

in support or encouragement of (someone); on one's side


op heterdaad

Partial univerbation of heter + daad. Literally, “on the hot act”, i.e. “while the act is still hot”.

lit

in the act (in the process of causing wrongdoing)


in discussione

mettersi in discussione

to question oneself (literally, “to put oneself under discussion”)

Mentre Trump ha ripetutamente posto in discussione la validità della Nato, Biden ribadirà la sacralità della difesa collettiva e investirà nell'alleanza.

2020 November 12, Charles A. Kupchan, “Usa, la missione occidentale [US, the Western mission]”, in la Repubblica:

While Trump has repeatedly put NATO's validity under debate, Biden will reaffirm the sacredness of collective defense and will invest in the alliance.


in salita

ascensore in salita

prezzi in salita

non avendo l'attrezzatura in dotazione, parte in salita

not having the equipment supplied, he starts uphill


al di fuori di

al di fuori dell'Illinois


sulla carta

Quanto a Joe, non potevamo essere più diversi l'uno dall'altro, almeno sulla carta.

2020, Barack Obama, translated by Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, and Giuseppe Maugeri, Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

When it comes to Joe, we could not have been more different from each other, at least on paper.


in fatto di

Literally, “in fact of”. Compare French en fait de.


sulle prime

Sulle prime aveva fatto resistenza: come la maggior parte dei senatori, Joe aveva un ego smisurato e mal tollerava l'idea di un ruolo di secondo piano.

At first he was resistant: like most Senators, Joe had a big ego and could hardly tolerate the idea of a secondary role.


alla pari

L'ex pilota di caccia Amy McGrath, che ha tentato (senza successo) di togliere il seggio del Kentucky al Senato al leader repubblicano Mitch McConnell, in una sfida difficile ma combattuta alla pari.

2020 November 15, Alberto Flores D'Arcais, “Dal Pentagono all'Economia, Biden vuole un team di donne [From the Pentagon to the Economy, Biden wants a team of women]”, in la Repubblica:

The former fighter pilot Amy McGrath, who tried (without success) to remove the Senate seat from Republican leader Mitch McConnell, in a difficult but fought-on-a-level-playing-field match.

vendere alla pari

to break even (literally, “to sell for the same amount as paid for”)

scommettere alla pari

for the same amount of money lost, bet, etc.


in lizza

Literally, “in lists”. Compare French en lice.

(jousting) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in, lizza.

essere in lizza

to vie (literally, “to be in competition”)

entrare in lizza

to throw one's hat into the ring (literally, “to enter in competition”)

Diverse donne sono in lizza anche per i ministeri economici, che dovranno gestire la complicata ripartenza negli Stati Uniti della pandemia.

Several women are also vying for economic positions, which will have to manage the complicated restart of the pandemic in the United States.

involved in a competition, struggle, etc.; in the running; in contention


a tarda ora

Diceva che era umiliante fare un'interurbana a tarda ora a un'amica d'infanzia che chiaramente aveva altro da fare e una vita da condurre e un rapporto di coppia vibrante, sano, intimo, coinvolgente; era umiliante e patetico stare sempre a scusarti perché secchi qualcuno o sentire che devi profonderti in ringraziamenti per il semplice fatto che una ti è amica.

2007, David Foster Wallace, “La persona depressa [The Depressed Person]”, in Ottavio Fatica, Giovanna Granato, transl., Brevi interviste con uomini schifosi [Brief Interviews with Hideous Men], Einaudi:

She said it was humiliating making a long-distance phone call late at night to a childhood friend that clearly had other things to do and a life to lead and a vibrant, healthy, intimate, involved couple relationship; it was humiliating and pathetic to always be excusing yourself because you are annoying someone or feeling that you have to give copious thanks for the simple fact that they are a friend.


agli antipodi

Eravamo entrambi prosciugati, sia sotto il profilo fisico sia sotto quello emotivo, non soltanto per le fatiche degli ultimi otto anni ma anche per gli esiti inattesi di un'elezione in cui, come mio successore, era stato scelto un leader politico agli antipodi rispetto a tutto ciò per cui ci eravamo battuti.

2020, Barack Obama, “Prefazione [Preface]”, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

Both of us were drained, physically and emotionally, not only by the labors of the previous eight years but by the unexpected results of an election in which someone diametrically opposed to everything we stood for had been chosen as my successor.


allo stato brado

leading a free, outdoor life, ignoring social obligations; wild, natural, off the grid


down the way

They live just down the way.

Further along a southern direction or downhill route.

I plan to publish my novel somewhere down the way.

Later; at indeterminate point in the future.


below stairs

I’le lock her into her Sister’s Room below Stairs, for to night, there’s no Balcony there.

1691, Thomas D’Urfey, Love for Money, or, The Boarding School, London: J. Hindmarsh and Abel Roper, act V, scene 1, page 45:

it was talkd, that there was an old gentleman belowstairs whom they fancied to be Sr. Isaac Newton.

1752, William Stukeley, Memoirs of Isaac Newton's life:

She felt immensely superior to him suddenly, to all the people below stairs.

1952, Patricia Highsmith, chapter 8, in The Price of Salt, New York: Norton, published 2004, page 94:

(dated) On a floor lower than the one a speaker currently occupies; below the main floor of a multi-floor building.

a. 1631, John Donne, letter to H. Goodere, in Letters to Severall Persons of Honour written by John Donne, London: Richard Marriot, 1651, pp. 158-159,
My daughter Constance is at this time with me; or the emptinesse of the town, hath made me, who otherwise live upon the almes of others, a houskeeper, for a moneth; and so she is my servant below stairs, and my companion above:

It vvas his younger Siſters Chamber, that I vvas in, and as there vvas no Body in the Houſe, but the Maids belovv Stairs, he vvas it may be the ruder: […]

1722 (indicated as 1721), [Daniel Defoe], The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, &c. […], London: […] W[illiam Rufus] Chetwood, […]; and T. Edling, […], published 1722, →OCLC, page 21:

[…] those fortunate bachelors, or other gentlemen of pleasure, who so manage their entertainment of compromising company that even the austerest housekeeper, occupied and competent below-stairs, never feels obliged to give warning.

1904 November 10, Henry James, chapter 11, in The Golden Bowl, volume I, New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, →OCLC, book first (The Prince), part second, pages 200–201:

In the tiny below-stairs office a moody-looking matron took the papers and signed him into the ledger.

1953, Saul Bellow, chapter 4, in The Adventures of Augie March, New York: Viking Press, →OCLC, page 57:

1972, Robertson Davies, The Manticore, Toronto: New Canadian Library, 2015, Part 2, Chapter 1,
Children always lived closer to the servants than their elders, and Caroline and I never knew where we stood with anybody, and sometimes found ourselves hostages in dark, below-stairs intrigues.

Having lived the stereotype of the penniless artist in Paris, Soutine was drawn not to the glamour of the roaring 1920s, but to those in the world below stairs[.]

2017 November 17, Skye Sherwin, “Chaïm Soutine’s Pastry Cook of Cagnes: a portrait of youth, but not innocence”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

(UK, historical) In or pertaining to the lowest levels of a large house where the house staff work and are accommodated, contrasted with above stairs where the owning family reside.

Unless we wanted dear Simkins, given he is loyalty personified, the Queen Mother used to die of jealousy, to do the below stairs POV that "pleb" would be considered positively affectionate & unquestionably better than prole & actually a great improvement on Simkins?

2012 September 25, Catherine Bennett, “Mrs Cameron's diary: more trouble with the plebs”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

A paragon must embody liberal democracy. To get its hands dirty defending it is below-stairs.

2023 February 11, Janan Ganesh, “After Germany's fall, which is the paragon nation?”, in FT Weekend, page 22:

(UK, historical, as noun) The areas of a large house in which house staff work, or the staff that work there.


per il meglio

Se tutto procede per il meglio le prime dosi potrebbero essere distribuite e inoculate già a metà dicembre.

2020 November 20, Federico Rampini, “Vaccini, il sorpasso americano [Vaccines, the American overtaking]”, in la Repubblica:

If everything goes for the better the first doses could be distributed and inoculated by as early as mid-December.


per le lunghe

mandare per le lunghe

to postpone (literally, “to send in prolongation”)

andare per le lunghe

to drag on (literally, “to go as to drag on”)

A differenza che nell'assemblea legislativa dell'Illinois, però, dove molti si accontentavano di tenere la testa bassa, spesso senza nemmeno sapere cosa diavolo stesse accadendo, i miei nuovi colleghi erano sempre informati di tutto e per nulla restii a esprimere le loro opinioni, cosa che comportava il fatto che le riunioni di commissione si trascinassero per le lunghe, rendendomi molto più comprensivo verso quanti avevano dovuto subire la mia verbosità alla Law School e a Springfield.

Unlike the state legislature, where many members were content to keep their heads down, often not knowing what the hell was going on, my new colleagues were well briefed and not shy with their opinions, which caused committee meetings to drag on interminably and made me far more sympathetic to those who’d suffered through my own verbosity in law school and Springfield.

in a way that prolongs fastidiously; as to drag on


in oggetto

Poi ecco dispiegarsi il ragionamento, il volto arrossato, il tono della voce sempre più alto, in un crescendo degno di un predicatore evangelico, non importa quanto fosse banale la questione in oggetto.

The argument would unspool—the face reddening, the voice rising—building to a crescendo like a revivalist sermon, no matter how mundane the issue at hand.


nel profondo

nel profondo del cuore

nel profondo della notte

in the dead of night (literally, “in the depths of the night”)

(also with di) in the depths or bottom (of)

Mi tornò in mente «L'istinto del tamburo maggiore», un sermone in cui il dottor Martin Luther King Jr. osserva come, nel profondo, ciascuno di noi ambisca a primeggiare, a vedere celebrata la propria grandezza; ciascuno di noi vuole «aprire la sfilata».

I recalled a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., called "The Drum Major Instinct." In it, he talks about how, deep down, we all want to be first, celebrated for our greatness; we all want "to lead the parade."


alla lontana

parenti alla lontana

lo conosco alla lontana

accennare al fatto alla lontana

(idiomatic) without direct or immediate connection


agli sgoccioli

la mia pazienza è agli sgoccioli

L'unico dibattito, quella settimana, si tramutò in un vero e proprio gioco al massacro tra me e Hillary, con John Edwards (la cui campagna era ormai agli sgoccioli, tanto che di lì a poco si sarebbe ritirato) ridotto al ruolo di spettatore mentre io e lei ce le suonavamo come gladiatori in un'arena.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 6, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

Our one debate that week turned into an absolute slugfest between me and Hillary, with John Edwards (whose campaign was on its last legs and who would soon drop out) rendered a spectator as Hillary and I went after each other like gladiators in the ring.


in nome di

Literally, “in name of”. Compare French au nom de.

Senza dubbio quella convinzione si rafforzò quando, durante un'intervista in Nevada, dissi che, per quanto lo ammirassi, non pensavo che Bill Clinton avesse trasformato la politica nel modo in cui invece, durante gli anni Ottanta, aveva fatto Ronald Reagan, quando era riuscito a riformulare il rapporto tra il popolo americano e il governo in nome dei principi conservatori.

No doubt I'd reinforced that perception when, in a Nevada interview, I said that while I admired Bill Clinton, I didn't think he'd transformed politics the way Ronald Reagan had in the 1980s, when he'd managed to reframe the American people's relationship to government on behalf of conservative principles.


ahead of the pack

Some very significant but not very widely known news (even in the sector itself) is that rail is not only uniquely placed to benefit from this promised change of direction, there is already solid evidence to put the rail sector ahead of the pack as a potential investment priority.

2020 December 2, Nigel Harris, “The UK's worst crisis since 1709”, in Rail, page 3:

(idiomatic) Performing better than others.


sul pezzo

La colpa fu in massima parte mia e del mio team: avevamo mandato Michelle in tour senza un discorso scritto, senza le sedute di preparazione e i briefing di cui disponevo io ogni volta, senza cioè tutta l'infrastruttura che mi teneva organizzato e sempre sul pezzo.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 7, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

My team and I largely deserved the blame; we'd put Michelle on the road without the speechwriting, prep sessions, and briefers that I had at all times, the infrastructure that kept me organized and on point.


alla frutta

Non solo: significava anche che, dopo quasi diciotto mesi di campagna non stop, nessuno del mio team avrebbe potuto godere di una pausa significativa, e questa era una vera disdetta, visto che eravamo tutti alla frutta.

It also meant that after almost eighteen months of nonstop campaigning, nobody on my team would get a meaningful break, which was unfortunate because all of us were running on fumes.


on the scene

to come on the scene, to appear on the scene, to burst on the scene

In a prominent position during a situation.


i bara mässingen

Literally, "in just the brass".
It used to be common practice to silver-plate brass objects to make a more valuable impression. With use, the silver wore away and the brass came out. This is probably the origin of the expression.

I bara mässingen besteg han en ryttarstaty nära premiärminister David Camerons kansli.

Stark naked, he climbed an equestrian statue near Prime Minister David Cameron's office.

(idiomatic) nude, stark naked (without any clothing)


against one's better judgment

Against my better judgment I gave them one last chance.

contrary to what one believes is moral or wise


senza contare

Literally, “without counting”. Compare French sans compter.

è venuto a termine a luglio, senza contare l'ostruzionismo del funzionario all'incarico

it came to an end in July, setting aside the posting official's obstructionism

Senza contare che, almeno per il momento, il governo aveva finito la ghiaia.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 9, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

And for the moment, at least, the government had run out of gravel.

(also with che) setting aside, leaving out


a gambe all'aria

[…] la bestiuola, voltandosi a secco, gli dètte una gran musata nello stomaco e lo gettò a gambe all’aria.

1881–1883, Carlo Collodi, chapter 31, in Le avventure di Pinocchio:

The beast, suddenly turning around, hit him with its muzzle in his stomach throwing him off belly up.

A luglio, i notiziari di tutto il Paese diffusero le immagini di clienti disperati in fila per ritirare i soldi da IndyMac, una banca californiana finita velocemente a gambe all'aria.

In July, news stations across the country broadcast images of desperate customers lined up to pull their money out of IndyMac, a California bank that promptly went belly-up.


a morte

Literally, “to death”. Compare French à mort.

condannare a morte

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see a, morte.

sparare a morte qualcuno

annoiato a morte

spaventato a morte


in lontananza

... il poster creato da Shepard Fairey e intitolato HOPE, con una versione stilizzata in rosso, bianco e blu del mio volto che scruta in lontananza, divenne all'improvviso onnipresente.

... Shepard Fairey's graphic art poster, titled HOPE, with a stylized red, white, and blue version of my face staring off into the distance, seemed suddenly ubiquitous.


out the blue

Out the blue you came to me. And blew away life's misery

Israel's position as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation did not come by chance or out the blue. It came with a condition.

2012, Isaac Addai-Dwomoh, Where God Leads He Provides:


dietro le quinte

In un qualsiasi momento della giornata poteva comparire Rahm per chiedere come intendessi gestire una qualche disputa politica od organizzativa appena profilatasi, e dietro le quinte non mancavano i primi litigi – sui titoli, sulle aree di competenza, sull'accesso, sui posti auto –, come si conviene a ogni nuova amministrazione.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 10, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

At various points in the day Rahm might pop in to ask me how I wanted to handle some emerging policy or organizational dispute, and behind the scenes there was no shortage of the early jockeying—over titles, turf, access, parking spots—that characterizes any new administration.


in cammino

... mentre il nostro convoglio avanzava lentamente lungo Pennsylvania Avenue, e si chiacchierava del più e del meno con il presidente Bush, guardai fuori dai finestrini antiproiettile la calca di gente ancora in cammino verso il National Mall...

... as our convoy slow-rolled down Pennsylvania Avenue, while I made small talk with President Bush, I looked out the bulletproof windows at the throngs of people who were still on their way to the Mall...


del più e del meno

LL-Q652 (ita)-LangPao-del più e del meno.wav


from one day to the next

He drives a different car from one day to the next.

They became homeless from one day to the next.

What I have just said, Mr. President, should serve as a sufficient answer to those who say in an ironical tone that the right of suffrage has no magic virtue in itself, and that it cannot from one day to the next transform the slave into the complete citizen, and render him capable of governing the country.

1865, Agénor de Gasparin, translated by Mary Louise Booth, Reconstruction! A Letter to President Johnson, page 35:

Let us imagine the difference between this software firm and a firm producing consumer appliances in the 1950s if from one day to the next all their employees—below the highest management levels—simply walked away to take employment elsewhere.

1996, Fred Block, “A Second Paradox of Thrift: Investment Strategies and the Future”, in Neva R. Goodwin, editor, As if the Future Mattered: Translating Social and Economic Theory into Human Behavior, →ISBN, page 94:

The real reason is that retirement is a traumatic experience for most people. From one day to the next they turn from fully occupied persons with responsibilities and in many cases with the powers of decision, into beings with endless hours on their hands and nothing to do.

1998, Peter Peeters, The Four Phases of Society: Where Are We Going in the 21st Century?, →ISBN, page 124:


a scoppio ritardato

reagire a scoppio ritardato

Spiegò che la disoccupazione era tipicamente un «indicatore a scoppio ritardato», nel senso che, durante le recessioni, le dimensioni reali della perdita di posti di lavoro non si palesano immediatamente, e di solito continuano ad aggravarsi anche dopo che l'economia ha ricominciato a crescere.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 11, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

He explained that unemployment was typically a "lagging indicator," meaning the full scale of job losses during recessions didn't show up right away, and usually continued well after an economy started growing again.

(idiomatic) with delay respect to the normal or expected time; delayed


ar wahân

Mae pobl yn hoff o dai ar wahân gan eu bod nhw'n breifat.

People like separate/detached homes because they are private.

Mae hi a'i gŵr yn byw ar wahân.

She and her husband live separately/apart.


al passo

tenersi al passo con

to keep up with (literally, “to keep oneself abreast with”)

La maggior parte degli americani... non aveva né il tempo né la disposizione d'animo per tenersi al passo con i dettagli del processo legislativo...

Most Americans... didn't have the time or inclination to keep up with the details of the legislative process...


a effetto

... riferire ciò che dice una parte (con breve dichiarazione a effetto)...

Report what one side says (quick sound bite included).

meant for effect or to impress; striking, sensational


a proprio rischio e pericolo

Literally, “at one's risk and danger”. Compare French à ses risques et périls.

Potevi certo decidere di alzare comunque la voce per una questione di coscienza, ma dovevi sapere che ci sarebbe stato un prezzo da pagare, che i neri potevano praticare la politica di difesa degli interessi particolari degli agricoltori, degli appassionati di armi o di qualsiasi altro gruppo etnico solo a loro rischio e pericolo.

You might decide to speak up anyway, as a matter of conscience, but you understood there'd be a price—that Blacks could practice the standard special-interest politics of farmers, gun enthusiasts, or other ethnic groups only at their own peril.

(idiomatic) at one's own risk, at one's own peril


al dettaglio

comprare al dettaglio

prezzi al dettaglio

venditore al dettaglio


als een tierelier

Tierelier is commonly used as an interjection to represent cheerful whistling, singing or even animal songs.

De bestellingen lopen als een trein.

(simile, informal) very well, very successfully


with ill grace

TfW has staff enforcing mask protocols at all the busy stations and most travellers oblige, albeit some with ill grace.

2020 December 2, Paul Bigland, “My weirdest and wackiest Rover yet”, in Rail, page 66:


come se non bastasse

Literally, “as if it would not suffice”.

as if that weren't enough
as if that weren't enough


all'indirizzo di

Preoccupati dalla possibilità che stessimo perdendo terreno politicamente, Axe e Gibbs ci spronavano a intensificare le parole di condanna all'indirizzo di Wall Street.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 12, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

Concerned that we were losing the political high ground, Axe and Gibbs urged us to sharpen our condemnations of Wall Street.

(idiomatic) at, towards, against (someone)


in ascolto

Con un adeguato processo – un processo che mi consentisse di svuotare il mio ego e di pormi veramente in ascolto... mi resi conto di poter prendere le decisioni più difficili...

But with a sound process–one in which I was able to empty out my ego and really listen... I realized I could make tough decisions...


dietro le sbarre

Literally, “behind the bars”. Compare French derrière les barreaux.

Diversi elettori democratici chiedevano già come mai non usassimo una maggiore severità con le banche – come mai, cioè... nessuno dei soggetti che aveva provocato un tale sconquasso fosse finito dietro le sbarre.

Already, some Democratic constituencies were asking why we weren't being tougher on the banks–why... none of the individuals who had caused such havoc had gone to jail.


in leash

"I shall hold myself strongly in leash, and see whether by this self-restraint I attain a more favorable result."

1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:

(figuratively) Under restraint; retrained; retaining one's composure.


al pari di

sei intelligente al pari di Lawrence

Al pari di Angela Merkel, Sarkozy si era fatto strada fino a diventare il capo del centro-destra, vincendo le elezioni presidenziali con una piattaforma che includeva politiche economiche liberiste, maggiore flessibilità sul lavoro, un taglio delle tasse e uno Stato assistenziale meno pervasivo.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 14, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

Like Merkel, Sarkozy had made his name as a leader of the center right, winning the presidency on a platform of laissez-faire economics, looser labor regulations, lower taxes, and a less pervasive welfare state.


at right angles to

The whole unit is rotated through 90deg to a position at right angles to the wagon and the three parts of the piling frame are unfolded from the straight line form into which they are packed for travelling to the triangular form in which they are set up for piling.

1961 November, “Talking of Trains: The North Eastern's new rail-mounted piling unit”, in Trains Illustrated, page 646:

Forming an angle of 90 degrees to something.


a viso aperto

«Forse non cambieremo l'atteggiamento dell'opinione pubblica da un giorno all'altro, in questi Paesi», commentai, «ma se non affrontiamo a viso aperto le fonti della tensione tra l'Occidente e il mondo musulmano, e non descriviamo quella che potrebbe essere una coesistenza pacifica, ci ritroveremo in guerra per i prossimi trent'anni.»

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 15, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

"We may not change public attitudes in these countries overnight," I said, "but if we don't squarely address the sources of tension between the West and the Muslim world and describe what peaceful coexistence might look like, we'll be fighting wars in the region for the next thirty years."


alla sprovvista

Literally, “at the lacking”. Compare French prendre au dépourvu.

Sentire questi fatti così basilari dalla bocca di un presidente americano avrebbe colto molti ascoltatori alla sprovvista, immaginavo, e forse aperto la loro mente ad altre crude verità...

Hearing such basic history from the mouth of a U.S. president would catch many people off guard, I figured, and perhaps open their minds to other hard truths...


outta road

/ˈɔʊ̯ta ɹʷoːd/

Compound of outta (“beyond/by/in/on/out of”) + road (“road/street”).

compound

Dem a keep dance outta road. Y'a guh?

There's a street party going on. Are you going?

(literal) in the street, on the street, into the street, onto the street

Pickney, a time yuh 'tap do dem ting outta road. Y'a big man now.

Child, it's high time you stopped doing that kind of thing in public. You aren't a little kid any more.

““Aren’t you going to shower?” She ask him if him would really want har fi shower now wid him wife out deh a beat dung di door. Di man say she nuh fi worry bout dat and dat she mus go shower cause she can’t go outta road so nasty. […]”

[2019, Ragashanti, “Daring balcony ride”, in The Jamaica Star:

"Aren't you going to shower?" She asked him if he really wanted her to go shower right now with his wife knocking incessantly at the door. The man told her not worry and that she should go take a shower because she shouldn't be in public without having washed herself […]


in via definitiva

Benvenuto nella famiglia della Scuola Media 70, Joe. In via definitiva.

2020, Soul, spoken by Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), Disney; Pixar:

Welcome to the M.S. 70 family, Joe. Permanently.


alla grande

(idiomatic) in a big or very successful way; great


al limite

Literally, “at the limit”. Compare French à la limite.

al limite della sopportazione

le 12 sono al limite

12 pm cuts it close (literally, “12 pm is at the limit”)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see al, limite.

al limite userò il computer per uso familiare

in the worst case, I will use the family computer

in the last or extreme case; at best or at worst


off one's onion

"'E's a very clever man, the master - so clever that 'e's clean balmy sometimes. I've seen 'im right off 'is onion, and no error."

1913, Arthur Conan Doyle, “(please specify the page)”, in The Poison Belt […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:


to a tick

Lord John rose and shook him by the hand. "My sentiment to a tick," said he.


na ons de zondvloed

Calque of French après nous le déluge. Literally, “after us the deluge”.

na mij de zondvloed
na mij de zondvloed#Dutch

Alternative form of na mij de zondvloed (first person, plural)


in disparte

lasciare in disparte

to leave out (literally, “to leave aside”)

prendere in disparte

to pull aside (literally, “to take aside”)

Dev'essere stata una tortura per lei. Restare in disparte.

2020, “Job”, in In difesa di Jacob [Defending Jacob], episode 7, spoken by Neal Logiudice (Pablo Schreiber), Apple TV+:

That must have been torture for you, sitting on the sidelines.


allo stato grezzo

In America erano dovute passare generazioni prima che grazie a proteste, all'approvazione di nuove leggi, al giornalismo d'inchiesta e alla tenacia della magistratura queste manifestazioni di potere allo stato grezzo fossero contenute se non completamente soppresse.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 19, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

In America, it had taken generations of protests, progressive lawmaking, muckraking journalism, and dogged advocacy to check, if not fully eliminate, such raw exercises of power.


au coin du feu

une causerie au coin du feu


like a raped ape

I'd like to report that this was his last mistake, but the quick little devil dodged my arrow and took off like a raped ape.

1978, Chuck Adams, The Complete Book of Bowhunting, page 213:

The nurses' aide takes off like a raped ape and Fairingnose winks at me.

This blue Camaro looked bad, sounded worse and would run like a raped ape. I have no idea what-all-else Wayne did to this car, but it was a six-cylinder that would walk away from every car I came against.

2005, Chuck E. Sanders, The Making of a Minister, page 59:


to one's rescue

"But here is the good Bolsover to your rescue." The worthy grocer had caught sight of them through the window and came bustling out, untying his white apron.

1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:


on a bell

[…] and putting the set "on a bell," the First Assistant Director will call "Roll 'em!"

1970, Michael Pate, The Film Actor: Acting for Motion Pictures and Television, page 30:

When the beauty team departs the set, the AD will say, “Let's go on a bell.” A bell sounds throughout the stage, and […]

2013, Bethany Rooney, Mary Lou Belli, Directors Tell the Story, page 184:

(film) Warned by the ringing of a bell to remain silent during a period of shooting.


sama sekali

Aku belum mulai sama sekali.

Uangku sudah habis sama sekali.


like winkin

He can run like winkin.


du coin de l'œil

out of the corner of one's eye
out of the corner of one's eye


op het spel

op het spel zetten

op het spel staan


off the horn

[…] the butcher's joint of beef was undoubtedly a cut off the horn.

1955, Helen Ostler Wilson, Land of My Children, page 5:

(humorous) Used to describe very hard steak, as though cut from the horn of the animal.


a pesci in faccia

Normalmente ci vogliono un paio di settimane, a volte un mese, prima che i media si stanchino di pigliarti a pesci in faccia perché sei riuscito a risolvere il problema, hai chiesto scusa o magari hai ottenuto una vittoria...

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 22, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

Usually, this lasts for a couple of weeks, maybe a month, before the press loses interest in smacking you around either because you fixed the problem or you expressed contrition, or you chalked up a win...

(idiomatic) with malice or insensitivity; like dirt; poorly (of a way someone is treated)


van de oude stempel

of the old school, pertaining to an old-fashioned style or way of thinking


according to Gunter

according to Cocker
according to Cocker#English

(dated, colloquial, British, idiomatic) Synonym of according to Cocker


like a shot

I went over the fence like a shot, and ran like one o'clock for the trap, cussing and swearing as I went.

1899, H. G. Wells, Mr. Brisher's Treasure:

(informal) suddenly; without delay or hesitation.


comme la vérole sur le bas clergé

LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-comme la vérole sur le bas clergé.wav

Literally, “like pox on the lower clergy”.

lit

like a rash
all over someone like a rash


comme une fleur

LL-Q150 (fra)-WikiLucas00-comme une fleur.wav

arriver comme une fleur, débarquer comme une fleur

revenir comme une fleur

se ramener comme une fleur

as if nothing had happened
as if nothing had happened

(simile, derogatory) candidly, ingenuously, as if nothing had happened


in two jumps

"I am ashamed to say that I was out of that house in two jumps."


à blanc

tirer à blanc

une balle à blanc


by crumbs

He scratched his head. "Well, damn me," said he. "I never thought I would take orders from a Chink, but he says 'hist!' and by crums you've got to hist and no back talk either."

1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “De Profundis”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:

By Crums, they might get the salts and oxalic acid mixed up if they came to treat me, for there’s no love lost between us.

1895, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, The Stark Munro Letters: […], London: Longmans, Green, and Co., →OCLC:


au clair

être au clair sur quelque chose

to have a clear understanding of something

avoir les idées claires, être au clair avec soi-même

to be clear in one's mind, to know what one wants

(of a person) clear (free of doubt, who has understood the situation clearly) [with sur or avec ‘about something’]


au bord du gouffre

LL-Q150 (fra)-LoquaxFR-au bord du gouffre.wav

(figuratively) on the brink of the abyss, on the verge of ruin


sur un pied d'égalité

Literally, “on an equality foot(ing)”. Compare Dutch op voet van gelijkheid.


en rang d'oignons

en rang d’oignon
en rang d'oignon#French

Alternative spelling of en rang d’oignon


en rang d'oignon

/ɑ̃ ʁɑ̃ d‿ɔ.ɲɔ̃/


at a low ebb

The figurative sense is an extension from the literal sense of low tide.

Polls show the prime minister’s popularity is at a low ebb.

2022 August 24, Tassanee Vejpongsa, Grant Peck, “Thai court suspends PM Prayuth pending ruling on term limit”, in The Washington Post, retrieved 2022-08-24:

(idiomatic) At a low point; in a poor state; in a state of decline or depression.


on an equal footing

In a situation in which all parties have a reasonable chance of succeeding; without conferring an undue advantage to any party.


for di

chi lo volse seguire,
o tenersi con esso,
del regno for fu messo;
e piovero in Inferno
e ’n fuoco sempiterno.

c. 1260s, Brunetto Latini, chapter VIII (chapter 8), in Il tesoretto [The small treasure]^(https://it.wikisource.org/wiki/Il_Tesoretto_(Laterza,_1941)), lines 586–590; collected in Luigi Di Benedetto, editor, Poemetti allegorico-didattici del secolo XIII [13ᵗʰ-century allegorical-didactical poems], Bari: Laterza, 1941, page 27:

Those who chose to follow him [Lucifer], or side with him, were sent out of the kingdom [of Heaven], and fell down to Hell, in eternal fire.

Alternative form of fuori di (“out of (expressing motion away)”)


by leaps and starts

by starts and leaps
by starts and leaps#English


like a ripe plum

I could pull it off, like a bird, single handed; but with you, in a manner of speaking, always round the corner, and ready to help me with your sage counsel, failure is impossible. She is like a ripe plum hanging on the tree, Billy .

1877, James Greenwood, Dick Temple, page 195:

If they can bring Round Pond to her knees, the rest of the world will fall like a ripe plum.

1976 ·, James A. McCracken, Innocents at Sea, page 193:

She was like a ripe plum falling into my hand!

1997, Linda Chaikin, The Pirate and His Lady:

"Then you must seek her out! She isn't going to just fall into your lap like a ripe plum, my boy,” the duke insisted.

2010, Adrienne Basso, How to Seduce a Sinner, page 43:

You said yourself he'd only to wait and the mine would have dropped into his lap like a ripe plum.


om hunnentwil

/ɔm ˈɦʏ.nəntˌʋɪl/


in proprio

lavorare in proprio

to be self-employed (literally, “to work self-employed”)

mettersi in proprio

to become self-employed (literally, “to put oneself self-employed”)

not dependent on anyone else's employment; self-employed

avere una casa in proprio

rispondere in proprio

(literally, “to respond personally (to accusations, etc.)”)


al proprio posto

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see al, proprio, posto.

mettere qualcuno al proprio posto

... e il mio consigliere per la sicurezza nazionale Jim Jones, che proveniva da un ambiente militare in cui la catena di comando era sacra e i subordinati erano tenuti a stare al loro posto.

... and my national security advisor, Jim Jones, who'd come out of a military culture in which chains of command were inviolate and subordinates were expected to stay in their lanes.


ad armi pari

Literally, “at equal weapons”. Compare French à armes égales.

on equal terms, on a level playing field


on equal terms

The two teams will battle it out on equal terms.

Although very distant from the lives of her subjects – she never went to school and had only the most fleeting experiences of being on equal terms with anyone – she grew into a much respected figure, admired for her stoicism and diligence

September 8 2022, Stephen Bates, “Queen Elizabeth II obituary”, in The Guardian:

With the same set of advantages and disadvantages; on an equal footing, on a level playing field.

The two populations must learn to live with each other on equal terms.

With respect for people's backgrounds, rights, and responsibilites; as equals.


da cima a fondo

Lo lessi da cima a fondo, compresa la Piccola Posta e gli Annunzi Economici.

1990, Ernest Hemingway, chapter 4, in Ettore Capriolo, transl., Fiesta [The Sun Also Rises], Mondadori:

I read it all the way through, including the Petite Correspondance and the Cornigrams.

from top to bottom; completely, thoroughly


of a lifetime

the opportunity of a lifetime

That is the best one can expect to ever encounter.

elämän (genitive, placed before, often with possessive suffix)


av alle livsens krefter

De halte opp av alle livsens krefter.

(idiomatic) with all one's might; with full force


in sicurezza

mettere in sicurezza

portare in sicurezza

Per quanto concerneva il rimpatrio, per esempio, molti detenuti a basso rischio provenivano da nazioni che non sarebbero state in grado di gestire in sicurezza il loro rientro.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 23, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

When it came to repatriation, for instance, many low-level detainees came from countries that didn't have the capacity to safely handle the return.

in a safe manner; without running risks; safely


on someone's books

Don’t abuse a laborer who is destitute and needy, whether he is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner living in your land and in your city. Pay him at the end of each workday; he’s living from hand to mouth and needs it now. If you hold back his pay, he’ll protest to GOD and you’ll have sin on your books.

2018, “Deuteronomy 24”, in Eugene H. Peterson, transl., The Message Deluxe Gift Bible, Tyndale House Publishers, →ISBN, page 196:

This forced the company to focus on developing advanced projects on its books. And fast. All too often, it ended up selling out at an early stage just to get money in to keep the show on the road.

2021 January 22, Joe Brennan, “Has Eddie O’Connor underestimated the value of his €1bn baby?”, in The Irish Times:


a sé stante

divenne un problema a sé stante

of one's own, in one's own right, standalone, separate


di lì a

di lì a poco

di lì a due mesi


to God

I hope to God that ...

I wish to God that ...

(informal) Used as an intensifier: very much.


without tears

(figuratively) Presented so as to be easy to learn.


in another world

In a state of deep thought that makes the thinker appear disconnected from reality.


between you and I

Popularized by William Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, see quotations.

Sweet Baſſanio, My ſhips haue all miſcarried, my Creditors grow cruell, my eſtate is very low: my bond to the Iew is forfet, and ſince in paying it, it is impoſſible I ſhould liue, all debts are cleered betweene you and I if I might but ſee you at my death.

c. 1596–1598 (date written), W[illiam] Shakespeare, The Excellent History of the Merchant of Venice. […] (First Quarto), [London]: […] J[ames] Roberts [for Thomas Heyes], published 1600, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:

between you and me
between you and me#English

(proscribed) Alternative form of between you and me


in contrasto

I suoi leader affermavano sempre più spesso che non avrebbe dovuto esserci nessuna distanza fra i governi di Stati Uniti e Israele, anche quando le azioni di quest'ultimo erano in contrasto con la politica americana.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 25, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

Its staff and leaders increasingly argued that there should be "no daylight" between the U.S. and Israeli governments, even when Israel took actions that were contrary to U.S. policy.

in contrasto con l'altra scuola, questa ci serve del buon mangiare

in contrast with the other school, this one serves us some good food


in short pants

From an early 20th century practice of reserving short pants only for small children.

Dr. Smith said a moment ago that we are scientifically adult but spiritually in short pants.

1948, Albert Craig Baird, Lester Thonssen, Waldo Warder Braden, Owen Peterson, Representative American Speeches:


als de bliksem

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see als, de, bliksem.

(simile) very quickly, right away, without delay


in corso d'opera

è azzardato cambiare idea in corso d'opera

it's very risky to change one's mind in midstream

during the execution of (something); in midstream


in grande

Literally, “in big”. Compare French voir les choses en grand.

sognare in grande


a tempo indeterminato

LL-Q652 (ita)-LangPao-a tempo indeterminato.wav

lavoro a tempo indeterminato

rinviare a tempo indeterminato


in midstream

The raft got stuck in midstream.

In the middle of a running body of water.

You can't abandon your hopes in midstream.

All political lives, unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure, because that is the nature of politics and of human affairs.

1998 February 12, Enoch Powell, quotee, “Obituary: Enoch Powell”, in The Economist, →ISSN:

Barclays UK chief quits in midstream [title]

2005 December 8, Jill Treanor, “Barclays UK chief quits in midstream”, in The Guardian:

Wait, **THAT** is the reason? I thought the other was the reason? Pouring out wrath and finger of God aren't the same thing. Even though I know you'll claim they are. You've just changed reasons in mid-stream.

2006 April 27, Steve Goldfarb, “Spilling out drops of wine at the Seder”, in soc.culture.jewish.moderated (Usenet):

(figurative) During the execution of (something); in the middle of (an activity).


at someone's throat

They were at each other's throats all evening.

Behaving very aggressively or snappishly toward someone.


a cielo aperto

Literally, “at open sky”. Compare French à ciel ouvert.

(relational) surface; open, on the earth's surface, not underground

(surgery) revealing internal organs and tissues (of an incision)


a cuore aperto

Literally, “at open heart”. Compare French à cœur ouvert.

intervento a cuore aperto

from the bottom of one's heart
from the bottom of one's heart

(idiomatic) sincerely, from the bottom of one's heart


dans le vide

parler dans le vide

to waste one's breath, to speak without being listened to (literally, “to talk into the void”)

regarder dans le vide


a fin di bene

bugia a fin di bene

white lie (literally, “well-meaning lie”)


van ganser harte

Literally, “from/of whole heart”, with fossilized dative forms.


a pieni voti

(idiomatic) with the highest possible grades; with honors; cum laude


all'ombra

Literally, “at the shade”. Compare French à l’ombre.


all'ombra di

all'ombra di un albero

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see all'ombra, di.

un negozietto a conduzione familiare all'ombra d'un noto dettagliante

a mom-and-pop shop in the shadow of a well-known retailer

... Abu Mazen aveva aiutato Arafat a fondare al-Fatah, che più tardi diventò il partito dominante dell'OLP, e aveva trascorso quasi tutta la sua carriera a occuparsi della parte diplomatica e amministrativa dell'Organizzazione, all'ombra del suo carismatico presidente.

... Abbas had helped Arafat found the Fatah party, which later became the dominant party of the PLO, spending most of his career managing diplomatic and administrative efforts in the shadow of the more charismatic chairman.

in the shadow of
in a state of relative unimportance

all'ombra dello Stato


in perspective

(also figurative) In correct proportion relative to other objects, contexts, etc.


in prospettiva

George Mitchell cercò di farmi vedere le cose in prospettiva, ricordandomi che durante i negoziati per mettere fine al conflitto nell'Irlanda del Nord avevano avuto «settecento giorni cattivi e uno solo buono».

George Mitchell tried to put things in perspective, reminding me that during negotiations to end the Northern Ireland conflict, "We had seven hundred bad days—and one good one."


pe jos

LL-Q7913 (ron)-Andreea Teodoraa-pe jos.wav


fin dove

lavoro fin dove sia possibile

I will work as much as I can (literally, “as far as is possible”)

(+ ind. or subj.) until the point at which; as far as

... Mubarak continuò a fare resistenza, saggiando fin dove poteva arrivare con le intimidazioni contro i contestatori.

... Mubarak remained defiant, testing how far he could go in intimidating the protesters.

up to which point; to what extent; how far


all'unisono

Literally, “at unison”. Compare French à l’unisson.

In parte per assicurarmi che tutti cantassero all'unisono... feci una capatina non programmata a una riunione del comitato direttivo del Consiglio per la sicurezza nazionale nella Sala operativa.

Partly to make sure that everyone was singing from the same hymnal... I paid an unscheduled visit to a meeting of the NSC Principals Committee in the Situation Room...


nel migliore dei casi

Literally, “in the best of the cases”. Compare French dans le meilleur des cas.


fino al collo

L'America, inoltre, era ancora immersa fino al collo nelle guerre in Iraq e in Afghanistan.

America was also still knee-deep in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.


a onor del vero

E, a onor del vero, devo dire che non trovavo per nulla prudente l'idea di intraprendere una nuova guerra...

... and it's fair to say that I found the idea of waging a new war... to be less than prudent.


alle strette

Literally, “at the tight spots”. Compare French à l’étroit.

Ero irritato che Sarkozy e Cameron mi avessero messo alle strette, in parte per risolvere i loro problemi politici interni...

I was irritated that Sarkozy and Cameron had jammed me on the issue, in part to solve their domestic political problems...

one's back to the wall
one's back to the wall

in a tight spot; with one's back to the wall


de seu

Attested since 1370: de (“of”) and seu (“his/her/its”).

Din alí que o conto é darlle comenzo a unha cousa, que dempois camiña de seu;

They say that the gist is beginning something, because later it will go by itself;

O mozo xa ten coche de seu

The young man already owns a car (by himself, alone)


de seu

Galician: de seu

Et sabede que nõ ouuerõ mester ayos, ca todo(s) aprendíã moy bẽ de seu, quanto lles cõvĩjna.

1370, R. Lorenzo, editor, Crónica troiana. Introducción e texto, A Coruña: Fundación Barrié, page 735:

And you must know that they didn't need tutors, because all of them learned very well by themselves everything that suited them


senza esclusione di colpi

Prevedeva una competizione costosa e senza esclusione di colpi.

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 26, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

... anticipating an expensive, bare-knuckle contest.

relentlessly, by any means, no holds barred, that does not pull punches


in regalo

... un quadro di Ted Kennedy con la costa di Cape Cod, che avevo ricevuto in regalo dopo averlo ammirato nel suo ufficio.

... Ted Kennedy's painting of the Cape Cod coastline, which he’d sent to me as a gift after I'd admired it in his office.


a gamba tesa

(soccer) of a foul maneuver in which one player attempts to trip another

... più tardi, e in modo più sinistro, per il suo intervento a gamba tesa nel caso dei «cinque di Central Park», quando... Trump aveva acquistato un'intera pagina su quattro importanti quotidiani per chiedere il ripristino della pena di morte.

... later and more ominously as someone who'd thrust himself into the Central Park Five case, when... he'd taken out full-page ads in four major newspapers demanding the return of the death penalty.

(chiefly politics) in a way that is decisive and borders on incorrectness or immorality


nell'insieme

Literally, “in the whole”. Compare French dans l’ensemble.


in piena regola

Quando se ne impossessò il Tea Party, durante il primo anno della mia presidenza, la storia era ormai diventata una teoria del complotto in piena regola...

By the time the Tea Party seized on it during my first year in office, the tale had blossomed into a full-blown conspiracy theory...


in dovere

Literally, “in duty”. Compare French en devoir.

In realtà, Trump passava talmente tanto tempo su Fox News che presto si sentì in dovere di aggiungere nuovi dettagli.

In fact, Trump was on Fox so much that he soon felt obliged to throw in some fresh material...


aux frais de la princesse

LL-Q150 (fra)-LoquaxFR-aux frais de la princesse.wav

C’est aux frais de la princesse.

It's on expenses. It's paid for by the company.

manger aux frais de la princesse

vivre aux frais de la princesse

for free, at the company's or at the taxpayer's expense


aux frais de la maison

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i ny og ne

(idiomatic) occasionally; from time to time; once in a while


in circles

(also figurative) moving along the same path


in tondo

Lei ti farà girare in tondo senza avere mai / Le cose che pretendi e in fondo, scusa, in cambio tu che dai?

1981, “Ma quale idea”, performed by Pino D'Angiò:

She will lead you in circles but you will never get the things you want / And tell me, what are you going to give her?

E attraverso la sorveglianza aerea il nostro team era stato in grado di osservare un uomo alto che non lasciava mai la proprietà ma camminava regolarmente in tondo in un minuscolo giardino...

2020, Barack Obama, chapter 27, in Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, Giuseppe Maugeri, transl., Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

And through aerial surveillance, our team had been able to observe a tall man who never left the property but regularly walked in circles in a small garden...


col favore delle tenebre

under cover of darkness
under cover of darkness


under one's arm

He held the dossier under his arm.

끼다 (kkida, literally “to take/hold under one's arms”)


sotto il braccio

Tom Donilon ritornò con me nello Studio ovale, con il suo solito assortimento di raccoglitori e block-notes sotto il braccio...

Tom Donilon walked back to the Oval Office with me, his usual assortment of binders and notebooks tucked under his arm...


senza sosta

Michelle e le ragazze erano in forma come non mai quella sera a cena e mi presero in giro senza sosta per quelli che loro chiamavano i miei «modi»...

Michelle and the girls were in rare form at dinner that night, teasing me relentlessly about what they called my "ways"...

without pause or respite; without relent; non-stop


all'ultimo minuto

A Cape Canaveral ci attendeva una delusione: la NASA aveva annullato all'ultimo minuto il lancio dello shuttle a causa di problemi a un motore ausiliario.

In Cape Canaveral, we were disappointed to learn that NASA had been forced to scrub the space shuttle launch at the last minute due to problems in an auxiliary power unit...


like peas in a pod

like two peas in a pod
like two peas in a pod#English

Alternative form of like two peas in a pod


alla chitarra

with a square cross-section, shaped by a device called a chitarra (of egg pasta)


all'origine

Literally, “at the origin”. Compare French à l’origine.


in origine

La cena... in origine era stata ideata per dare ai giornalisti e a quelli di cui scrivevano l'opportunità, per una sera, di mettere da parte l'antagonismo che spesso caratterizzava i loro rapporti e divertirsi un po'.

... the dinner had originally been designed to give journalists and those they covered a chance, for one evening, to set aside their often-adversarial stance toward one another and have some fun.


in the spotlight

(idiomatic) In the focus of attention, especially from the media.


fuori gara

(sports) participating in a competition, but not ending up in the final ranking; not competitive (of an athlete)

sei fuori gara per la lotteria dei biglietti

you are out of the running for the ticket lottery

(idiomatic, by extension) out of the running


quanto mai

sono felice quanto mai

Talvolta, una semplice figura delineata con pochi tratti di penna e pochi aggettivi carismatici sembra un successo quanto mai improbabile, nato da un eccesso di acume ed energia, una sovrabbondanza di amore per un mondo immaginario che si esprime nel desiderio di animare perfino i suoi partecipanti di minore importanza.

2021 January 9, “Il fascino eterno e insensato del Grande Gatsby [The eternal and senseless fascination of the Great Gatsby]”, in la Repubblica:

Sometimes a simple figure outlined with a few strokes of the pen and few charismatic adjectives seems like a very improbable success, born from an excess of acumen and energy, an overabundance of love for an imaginary world which is expressed in the desire to animate even its participants of minor importance.


in scala ridotta

modello in scala ridotta

vittoria in scala ridotta


in cambio di

in cambio di soldi

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in cambio, di.


in cambio

In cambio, gli uomini mi consegnarono a sorpresa un regalo: una bandiera americana che avevano portato con loro nella missione ad Abbottabad, incorniciata e con le loro firme sul retro.

In return, the men surprised me with a gift: an American flag they had taken with them to Abbottabad, now in a frame with their signatures on the back.


nel mirino

Il dipartimento di Giustizia aveva messo nel mirino New York, Portland e Seattle e le tre metropoli furono costrette a fare causa pur di non vedersi ridotti i fondi in arrivo da Wahsington.

2021 February 25, “Stati Uniti, Biden cancella altre misure di Trump: meno restrizioni sui visti e niente tagli alle città di Black lives matter [United States, Biden cancels Trump's other measures: fewer restrictions on visas and no cuts to the cities of Black Lives Matter]”, in la Repubblica:

The Department of Justice had put New York, Portland, and Seattle in the crosshairs and the three metropolises were forced to sue in order to not see their funds coming from Washington reduced.

(idiomatic) under threatening vigilance; in the crosshairs


other end of the ball

(literally) the opposite end or side of a ball.

They play well on offense, but on the other end of the ball they need work.

(idiomatic, sports) used after discussing either offense or defense to imply the other.


all'onda

served or prepared without a dense sauce (of a soup, risotto, etc.)


ab imo pectore

Literally, "from [the] bottom of [the] chest".

(idiomatic, colloquial) from the bottom of one's heart


dal profondo del cuore

Literally, “from the bottom of the heart”.

(idiomatic) from the bottom of one's heart


con tutto il cuore

with all one's heart
with all one's heart

with all one's heart, from the bottom of one's heart


al limite di

al limite della correttezza

bordering on unfairness (literally, “sacrificing fairness”)

at the expense of; at the risk of sacrificing; bordering on (a quality)

la mia ragazza ed io eravamo al limite di lasciarci

my girlfriend and I were on the verge of breaking up


menurut hemat saya

From menurut (“according to”) + hemat (“opinion”) + saya (“my”), literally “according to my opinion”, from English in my humble opinion.

compound

in my humble opinion
in my humble opinion

in my humble opinion (Used to introduce or qualify a statement, as expressing one's own view, not one backed by external authority or to be accepted without question)


in crisi

mettere in crisi qualcuno

(literally, “to put someone in difficulty”)

(figurative, by extension) in difficulty; in trouble; struggling


in simultanea

traduzione in simultanea

Poi, all'improvviso, con una rapidità che non ci aspettavamo, udimmo quasi in simultanea le voci di McRaven e Leon pronunciare le parole tanto attese...

Then, with a suddenness I didn't expect, we heard McRaven's and Leon's voices, almost simultaneously, utter the words we'd been waiting to hear...


al meglio

Literally, “at the best”. Compare French au mieux.

sfruttare al meglio

(literally, “exploit in the best possible way”)

essere al meglio della forma

(literally, “to be at the best of one's shape”)

(finance) to be executed at the possible market conditions (of an order)


på gråten

Han er på gråten.


på papiret

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see på, papir.


i si tid

Eg var ein god fotballspelar i si tid.

once (formerly; during some period in the past)

I di tid fór vel folk rundt med hest og kjerre?

In your day, people got around with horses and carriages, no?

in one's time; in one's day (in the time when one was of a certain age)


alla luce del sole

(idiomatic) in broad daylight (both senses)


a ollos vistos

Cada vez a cousa engorda,
como que incha a ollos vistos,
Pro, si incha, non estoura;
como o pelexo enteirizo
da castaña agüenta e fofa
pra levála o enemincho;
Cando máis, si algo rebenta,
e arregaña, é o ourizo,
pra guindar limpa a castaña
e roer fruto tan rico

1862, Manuel Magariños, Ferro-carril Compostelano:

The thing grows at every time,
as it swells in plain sight,
but, although it swells, it does not burst;
as the one-piece peel
of the soft watery chestnuts
you take to an enemy;
at most, if something pops
and cracks is the burr,
to throw clean the chestnut
and nibble such a rich fruit


a buon diritto

Da piccola, la persona depressa aveva necessitato di cure odontoiatriche, e ciascun genitore aveva preteso - a buon diritto, date le ambiguità medicee legali della normativa sul divorzio, aggiungeva sempre la persona depressa descrivendo la dolorosa battaglia fra i genitori riguardo alle spese per le sue cure odontoiatriche - che fosse l'altro a pagare.

2007, David Foster Wallace, “La persona depressa [The Depressed Person]”, in Ottavio Fatica, Giovanna Granato, transl., Brevi interviste con uomini schifosi [Brief Interviews with Hideous Men], Einaudi:

The depressed person's parents, for example, who had divorced when she was a child, had used her as a pawn in the sick games they played, as in when the depressed person had required orthodonture and each parent had claimed - not without some cause, the depressed person always inserted, given the Medicean legal ambiguities of the divorce settlement - that the other should pay for it.

with one's proper reasons; with good reason; not without cause


a tu per tu

Tutti e due i genitori erano benestanti e ciascuno, a tu per tu con la persona depressa, aveva detto che, naturalmente, al momento di sborsare per tutte le cure odontoiatriche di cui la persona depressa necessitava non si sarebbe tirato indietro aggiungendo che era, fondamentalmente, una questione non di soldi o di dentatura ma di «principio».

Both parents were well-off, and each had privately expressed to the depressed person a willingness, if push came to shove, to bite the bullet and pay, explaining that it was a matter not of money or dentition but of "principle."


a rotazione

La mezza dozzina circa di membri a rotazione di questo Sistema di Sostegno in linea di massima erano... conoscenze che risalivano all'infanzia della persona depressa... che per lo più chiamava la sera tardi, in interurbana, in cerca di esternazione e sostegno e di una manciata di parole ben calibrate che l'aiutassero a inquadrare in una prospettiva realistica la disperazione della giornata e a trovare un punto di equilibrio e a raccogliere le forze per affrontare l'angoscia emotiva del giorno dopo...

The approximately half-dozen friends... referred to as the depressed person's Support System tended to be... female acquaintances from childhood... and whom she called late in the evening, long-distance, for badly needed sharing and support and just a few well-chosen words to help her get some realistic perspective on the day's despair and get centered and gather together the strength to fight through the emotional agony of the next day...

whose membership, availability, etc. rotates; by turns


tra sé e sé

Literally, “between oneself and oneself”.

lit

pensare tra sé e sé

Avevo un cane (rimase soltanto qualche giorno, poi scappò), una vecchia Dodge e una finlandese che mi rifaceva il letto, preparava la colazione e mormorava fra sé e sé parole di finnica saggezza davanti al fornello elettrico.

2021, F. Scott Fitzgerald, chapter 1, in Alessandro Fabrizi, transl., Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Neri Pozza:

I had a dog, at least I had him for a few days until he ran away, and an old Dodge and a Finnish woman who made my bed and cooked breakfast and muttered Finnish wisdom to herself over the electric stove.