Bedeutung
Moving with great speed.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Italian sports newspapers like 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', this phrase is frequently used to describe sprinters or fast football players. It adds a touch of epic, mythological grandeur to the reporting. Italians are very proud of their Roman roots. Using an idiom that references Mercury is a way of keeping that classical history alive in everyday modern language. Parents often use this with children. It's a 'sweet' way to describe a child's energy, rather than just saying they are being hyperactive. In the fast-paced work environments of cities like Milan, 'mettere le ali ai piedi' is a common way to tell someone to speed up a process without being too aggressive.
Use with 'Mettere'
If you want to sound more dynamic, use 'mettere le ali ai piedi' to describe the moment someone starts rushing.
Plural Only
Never say 'l'ala al piede'. It sounds very strange to Italian ears.
Bedeutung
Moving with great speed.
Use with 'Mettere'
If you want to sound more dynamic, use 'mettere le ali ai piedi' to describe the moment someone starts rushing.
Plural Only
Never say 'l'ala al piede'. It sounds very strange to Italian ears.
Sports Context
This is a 'safe' idiom for sports. It makes you sound like a knowledgeable fan.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'avere'.
Se vuoi vincere la gara, tu ________ avere le ali ai piedi!
The sentence requires the second person singular 'devi' (you must) to go with 'avere'.
Which of these is the correct idiom?
Per correre veloce, Marco...
The standard idiom is 'ali' (wings) 'ai piedi' (at the feet).
Match the situation to the phrase.
Your friend is running very fast to catch a bus. What do you say?
This is the only idiom related to speed.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Come ha fatto Maria ad arrivare così presto?' B: 'Non lo so, sembra che ________.'
The subjunctive 'abbia messo' is used after 'sembra che' to indicate she rushed.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenSe vuoi vincere la gara, tu ________ avere le ali ai piedi!
The sentence requires the second person singular 'devi' (you must) to go with 'avere'.
Per correre veloce, Marco...
The standard idiom is 'ali' (wings) 'ai piedi' (at the feet).
Your friend is running very fast to catch a bus. What do you say?
This is the only idiom related to speed.
A: 'Come ha fatto Maria ad arrivare così presto?' B: 'Non lo so, sembra che ________.'
The subjunctive 'abbia messo' is used after 'sembra che' to indicate she rushed.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a newspaper article or a speech.
No, it is specifically for people or animals that have feet.
Metaphorically yes, but it specifically emphasizes the speed of running or walking.
It comes from the Roman god Mercury, who had winged sandals.
Yes, e.g., 'Ieri avevo le ali ai piedi'.
Yes, it is a very standard and well-known idiom.
Sometimes people just say 'Vola!' (He/she is flying!) to mean the same thing.
No, it is only for physical speed or rushing, not mental speed.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Andare a cento all'ora
similarTo go a hundred miles an hour.
Correre come un pazzo
similarTo run like a madman.
Avere il pepe al culo
similarTo have pepper in one's backside.
Darsela a gambe
relatedTo run away/bolt.
