Jul 24 2024 14 mins 41
In this article, we will look at some specific, but very common, expressions! These are fixed expressions often made up of two words, joined by the conjunction 'and' (sometimes with the addition of a few prepositions), that always remain unchanged.
Generally, they also exist in other languages, although sometimes the word order is reversed.
Italian Fixed Expressions formed by Two Words
Before we begin, a disclaimer: these expressions can be made up of any part of speech, whether they are nouns, adverbs, verbs, or adjectives.
ANIMA E CORPO
“Completely”, “totally”, “with no limitations”: it indicates total commitment and dedication to do something or to achieve a certain purpose.
Frequently used with verbs such as “darsi”, “buttarsi”…
Francesco si è buttato anima e corpo nell’allenamento per mesi e oggi finalmente ha corso la maratona con successo. [Francesco threw himself heart and soul into training for months, and today he finally ran the marathon successfully]
GIORNO E NOTTE
“Always, with no breaks”, “continuously”.
Il bambino piangeva giorno e notte a causa del mal di denti. [Il bambino piangeva giorno e notte a causa del mal di denti]
ACQUA E SAPONE
Used in reference to an extremely simple and natural person who puts on no airs and is just as they appear (also in the sense that they use no makeup).
Daniela è sempre stata una ragazza acqua e sapone, ma da quando ha preso il nuovo lavoro si dà tante arie. [Daniela has always been a natural girl, but ever since she got the new job, she's been acting arrogant]
SALE E PEPE
Indicates a grayish color. Used primarily in reference to hair.
Alla porta c’è un tipo dai capelli sale e pepe che ti cerca. [There's a guy with salt and pepper hair at the door looking for you]
BOTTA E RISPOSTA
Quick and sharp exchange of questions and answers or jokes in a discussion between two interlocutors.
Quando si parla di politica, le nostre conversazioni diventano sempre dei botta e risposta agguerriti.
(IN) BIANCO E NERO
“Not in colors”. Generally used for visual things such as photos, movies, television, documents…
Nel dopoguerra, tutti guardavano la tv in bianco e nero. [In the post-war period, everyone watched TV in black and white.]
A STELLE E STRISCE
Relative or typical of the United States (U.S.), because of its flag with 13 red and white stripes representing the colonies and 50 white stars as the number of its constituent states.
Ascolto quasi esclusivamente musica a stelle e strisce. [I listen almost exclusively to American music]
GRATTA E VINCI
Instant lottery ticket with which it is possible to win predetermined prizes that vary according to the different symbols discovered by the player by scratching on the surface with a coin. Typically the game to win changes according to the scratch card chosen.
Ho vinto 10 euro con un gratta e vinci! [I won 10 euros with a scratch-off ticket]
COPIA E INCOLLA
Transfer of a portion of text or files from one place to another on pc or other devices.
Used in IT.
È stato bocciato perché il suo testo era solo un copia e incolla da vari articoli. [He was flunked because his paper was just a copy and paste from various articles.]
TIRA E MOLLA
Continuous alternation of conflicting actions that end up delaying the conclusion of something.
Dopo continui tira e molla, hanno preferito lasciarsi piuttosto che continuare con una relazione senza senso. [After continuous back and forth, they decided to break up rather than continue with a relationship that lacked meaning]
PARI E PATTA
Evenness in the outcome of something, such as a game or an argument.
Voi ci avete copiato l’idea e noi vi abbiamo copiato la pubblicità: siamo pari e patta! [You copied our idea, and we copied your advertisement: we're even]
ANDATA E RITORNO
The two directions of a journey, both going and returning.
Generally, they also exist in other languages, although sometimes the word order is reversed.
Italian Fixed Expressions formed by Two Words
Before we begin, a disclaimer: these expressions can be made up of any part of speech, whether they are nouns, adverbs, verbs, or adjectives.
ANIMA E CORPO
“Completely”, “totally”, “with no limitations”: it indicates total commitment and dedication to do something or to achieve a certain purpose.
Frequently used with verbs such as “darsi”, “buttarsi”…
Francesco si è buttato anima e corpo nell’allenamento per mesi e oggi finalmente ha corso la maratona con successo. [Francesco threw himself heart and soul into training for months, and today he finally ran the marathon successfully]
GIORNO E NOTTE
“Always, with no breaks”, “continuously”.
Il bambino piangeva giorno e notte a causa del mal di denti. [Il bambino piangeva giorno e notte a causa del mal di denti]
ACQUA E SAPONE
Used in reference to an extremely simple and natural person who puts on no airs and is just as they appear (also in the sense that they use no makeup).
Daniela è sempre stata una ragazza acqua e sapone, ma da quando ha preso il nuovo lavoro si dà tante arie. [Daniela has always been a natural girl, but ever since she got the new job, she's been acting arrogant]
SALE E PEPE
Indicates a grayish color. Used primarily in reference to hair.
Alla porta c’è un tipo dai capelli sale e pepe che ti cerca. [There's a guy with salt and pepper hair at the door looking for you]
BOTTA E RISPOSTA
Quick and sharp exchange of questions and answers or jokes in a discussion between two interlocutors.
Quando si parla di politica, le nostre conversazioni diventano sempre dei botta e risposta agguerriti.
(IN) BIANCO E NERO
“Not in colors”. Generally used for visual things such as photos, movies, television, documents…
Nel dopoguerra, tutti guardavano la tv in bianco e nero. [In the post-war period, everyone watched TV in black and white.]
A STELLE E STRISCE
Relative or typical of the United States (U.S.), because of its flag with 13 red and white stripes representing the colonies and 50 white stars as the number of its constituent states.
Ascolto quasi esclusivamente musica a stelle e strisce. [I listen almost exclusively to American music]
GRATTA E VINCI
Instant lottery ticket with which it is possible to win predetermined prizes that vary according to the different symbols discovered by the player by scratching on the surface with a coin. Typically the game to win changes according to the scratch card chosen.
Ho vinto 10 euro con un gratta e vinci! [I won 10 euros with a scratch-off ticket]
COPIA E INCOLLA
Transfer of a portion of text or files from one place to another on pc or other devices.
Used in IT.
È stato bocciato perché il suo testo era solo un copia e incolla da vari articoli. [He was flunked because his paper was just a copy and paste from various articles.]
TIRA E MOLLA
Continuous alternation of conflicting actions that end up delaying the conclusion of something.
Dopo continui tira e molla, hanno preferito lasciarsi piuttosto che continuare con una relazione senza senso. [After continuous back and forth, they decided to break up rather than continue with a relationship that lacked meaning]
PARI E PATTA
Evenness in the outcome of something, such as a game or an argument.
Voi ci avete copiato l’idea e noi vi abbiamo copiato la pubblicità: siamo pari e patta! [You copied our idea, and we copied your advertisement: we're even]
ANDATA E RITORNO
The two directions of a journey, both going and returning.
