Impariamo qualche espressione che possa aiutarci a parlare delle nostre emozioni in un modo un po’ più raffinato.
There’s no love lost between them.
meaning: they don’t like each other
italiano: non scorre buon sangue tra di loro (Lett: non c’è amore perduto fra di loro)
example: Don’t put them on the same shift. They can’t work in a team, there’s no love lost between them. – Non metterli nello stesso turno. Non possono lavorare in team, non scorre buon sangue tra di loro.
All’s fair in love and war.
meaning: in such situations you are allowed to cheat to get what you want
italiano: in amore e in guerra tutto è concesso / tutto è lecito. (Lett: tutto è giusto in amore e in guerra)
example: I was really shocked that my boyfriend checked my e-mails but he only said all’s fair in love and war. – Sono stata davvero scioccata per il fatto che il mio fidanzato abbia controllato le mie email, me lui ha solo detto che in amore e in guerra tutto è concesso..
a love nest
meaning: a place where two people meet secretly in order to have sex
italiano: un nido d’amore
example: While Jim was away, his friend used his flat as a love nest. – Mentre Jim era via, il suo amico ha usato il suo appartamento come un nido d’amore.
Love makes the world go round.
meaning: life is more pleasant when people treat each other lovingly
italiano: l’amore fa girare il mondo
example: Stop fighting with each other all the time. Love makes the world go round. – Basta litigare fra di voi continuamente. È l’amore che fa girare il mondo.
Lucky at cards, unlucky in love.
meaning: if you frequently win at card games, you will not have happy love affairs
italiano: fortunato al gioco, sfortunato in amore
example: I can’t believe George won again! My only consolation is lucky at cards, unlucky in love. – Non riesco a credere che George abbia vinto ancora! La mia unica consolazione è che “fortunato al gioco, sfortunato in amore”.
a love-hate relationship
meaning: a relationship that involves both devotion and hatred
italiano: relazione di amore e odio
example: Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton had an infamous love-hate relationship. – Elizabeth Taylor e Richard Burton hanno avuto una famigerata relazione di amore e odio.
tough love
meaning: a method of helping someone change their behaviour by treating them very strictly
italiano: usare le maniere forti (Lett: amore duro)
example: Tommy has dropped out of school. Time to give him some tough love. – Tommy ha abbandonato la scuola. È il momento di usare con lui le maniere forti.
puppy love
meaning: romantic love felt by young people and which usually disappears as they mature
italiano: una cotta (Lett: amore cucciolo)
example: James thought Carla would marry him one day but it turned out it was just puppy love. – James pensava che Carla lo avrebbe sposato un giorno, ma si scoprì che era solo una cotta.
One cannot love and be wise.
meaning: people often fall in love with someone they aren’t compatible with
italiano: una persona non può amare ed essere saggia contemporaneamente (Lett: uno non può amare e essere saggio)
example: Mary ran away from home when she was 16 with an acrobat. One cannot love and be wise. – Mary scappò di casa quando aveva 16 anni con un acrobata. Uno non può contemporaneamente amare ed essere saggio.
a labour of love
meaning: an activity that is hard work but that you do because you enjoy it
italiano: fare un lavoro pesante, ma farlo con piacere perché piace farlo (Lett: un lavoro di amore)
example: Making the kitchen cupboards was a labour of love for Tom. – Fare gli armadi della cucina è stato un lavoro pesante ma piacevole per Tom.
to love somebody to death
meaning: to feel extremely strong affection for someone
italiano: amare qualcuno da morire
example: Sheila is an experienced but very kind person and her students love her to death. – Sheila è una persona senza esperienza ma molto gentile e i suoi studenti la amano da morire.
not for love or money
meaning: not for anything, no matter its value
italiano: per nessun motive (Lett: non per amore o per soldi)
example: Bungee jumping??? I won’t do it for love or money. – Bungee jumping??? Non lo farò per nessun motivo.
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Completa le frasi!
| a labour of love | no love lost between them | tough love |
| to love someone to death | (not) for love or money | love-hate relationship |
| puppy love | love nest | all’s fair in love and war |
- My cousin is my best friend, she’s like a sister to me. I ……………….. .
- Don’t expect me to give up my job and move abroad. I won’t move ……………….. . No way!
- Jane hangs out with Mike all day. They say they are only friends but I think it’s a ……………….. .
- George has a ……………….. with his coach. He’s a great coach but he’s very rude with the best players.
- The king visited his lover in a ……………….. tucked away in the woods.
- Building this garden pond was ……………….. for my grandfather. Now it’s his favourite spot to relax.
- All kids need ……………….. from time to time. Teenagers keep testing their limits.
- Martina and Frank had a nasty divorce. There’s ……………….. .
- I can’t stand people who think ……………….. . Blackmailing can’t be part of a relationship.
Key: 1-love her to death 2-for love or money 3-puppy love 4-love-hate relationship 5-love nest 6-a labour of love 7-tough love 8-no love lost between them 9-all’s fair in love and war
