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Expressions with ‘acqua’ – Free online Italian lesson

“acqua alla gola”

to be in something up to one’s neck, to be under pressure

Non ti avrei mai chiesto aiuto se non fossi stata con l’acqua alla gola.
(I wouldn’t have asked you for help if I hadn’t been in it up to my neck.)

Giuseppe ha avuto tutto il tempo a disposizione ma si è messo a studiare solo quando aveva l’acqua alla gola.
(Giuseppe had loads of time but only got down to studying at the last minute.)

“acqua passata”

to be over, to be history

Credevo di averla dimenticata e che tutto fosse acqua passata ma mi sbagliavo.
(I thought I’d got over it and that everything was history but I was wrong.)

La sconfitta della settimana scorsa è ormai acqua passata. Bisogna guardare avanti e imparare dai nostri sbagli.
(Last week’s defeat is history. We must look ahead and learn from our mistakes.)

“fare acqua da tutte le parti”

to be falling apart, to be full of holes, to not hold water

La storia che ha raccontato al poliziotto fa acqua da tutte le parti.
(The story he told the policeman is full of holes.)

La gestione dell’azienda fa acqua da tutte le parti.
(The management of the firm is falling apart.)

Mi dispiace comunicarvelo, ma il vostro progetto non può funzionare. Fa acqua da tutte le parti.
(I’m sorry to tell you this, but your project can’t possibly work. It’s full of holes)

“tirar acqua al proprio mulino”

to bring water to your own mill, to work only in your own interests

Se tutti avessero un senso di responsabilità e non si limitassero a tirare acqua al proprio mulino, le cose in Italia cambierebbero.
(If everybody had a sense of responsiility and weren’t just looking out for their own interests, things in Italy would change.)

Maria è proprio un’egoista. Quando deve prendere una decisione tira sempre acqua al suo mulino e sceglie quella più coveniente a lei.
(Maria is such a selfish person. When she has to take a decision, she always looks out for her own interests and chooses whatever is most convenient for her.)

“scoprire l’acqua calda”

reinvent the wheel (literally – reinvent hot water)

Più studi, più impari.
– Esatto, hai scoperto l’acqua calda!
(The more you study, the more you learn.
– That’s right, you’ve reinvented the wheel!)

Sai che ieri ho scoperto che le fragole e lo champagne sono buonissime assieme.
– Beh, hai proprio scoperto l’acqua calda.
(Do you know, yesterday I discovered that strawberries and champagne go really well together.
– Well, you’ve really reinvented the wheel.)

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