Bedeutung
To be in a difficult situation.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase reflects the historical reality of Italy's medieval towns, where narrow streets (vicoli) were used strategically for defense. Being 'alle strette' meant you were physically trapped by the architecture. In Italian business culture, 'mettere alle strette' is a common tactic in the final stages of a negotiation. It is seen as a way to cut through 'chiacchiere' (small talk) and get to the point. The theme of being 'alle strette' is central to the 'Commedia all'italiana' genre, where characters often find themselves in absurdly tight spots due to their own schemes. Italian newspapers frequently use this idiom in headlines about the Eurozone or national debt, personifying the country as being cornered by financial markets.
Use with 'Budget'
This is the most common way to say you're broke without sounding too dramatic or using slang.
Gender Check
Remember, it's always 'strette' (feminine plural). Never say 'stretto' even if you are a man.
Bedeutung
To be in a difficult situation.
Use with 'Budget'
This is the most common way to say you're broke without sounding too dramatic or using slang.
Gender Check
Remember, it's always 'strette' (feminine plural). Never say 'stretto' even if you are a man.
The 'Mettere' Trick
Use 'mettere alle strette' in negotiations to show you are a strong communicator.
Teste dich selbst
Completa la frase con la forma corretta di 'essere alle strette'.
Dopo aver perso il lavoro, Marco ___ ___ ___ con i soldi.
Marco is the third person singular, so we use 'è'.
Quale frase usa l'idioma correttamente?
Scegli l'opzione corretta:
The idiom is used for pressure/cornering, not physical size, and uses 'alle'.
Completa il dialogo.
A: 'Puoi prestarmi 50 euro?' B: 'Mi dispiace, questo mese ___ ___ ___.'
The standard expression is 'essere alle strette'.
Abbina la situazione alla frase.
Situazione: Un detective interroga un ladro che non ha più scuse.
The thief is cornered and has no more excuses.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenDopo aver perso il lavoro, Marco ___ ___ ___ con i soldi.
Marco is the third person singular, so we use 'è'.
Scegli l'opzione corretta:
The idiom is used for pressure/cornering, not physical size, and uses 'alle'.
A: 'Puoi prestarmi 50 euro?' B: 'Mi dispiace, questo mese ___ ___ ___.'
The standard expression is 'essere alle strette'.
Situazione: Un detective interroga un ladro che non ha più scuse.
The thief is cornered and has no more excuses.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenIt is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a business meeting or a newspaper article.
Yes, 'essere alle strette con il tempo' is very common for deadlines.
'Essere nei guai' means you are in trouble (you did something wrong). 'Essere alle strette' means you are cornered or have no options.
No, that sounds like you are in a physical squeeze or a hug. Stick to the plural 'alle strette'.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized from Milan to Sicily.
No, for a dress you say 'il vestito è stretto'.
Often, yes. If you use 'mettere alle strette', someone is definitely forcing you. If you use 'essere', it could just be the situation.
Yes, 'stare alla canna del gas' is a much more informal/slang way to say you are in a desperate financial spot.
Almost never. It describes a stressful or difficult situation.
Use 'essere' as the auxiliary: 'Sono stato alle strette'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
mettere alle strette
builds onTo corner someone
essere con l'acqua alla gola
similarTo be in deep trouble
avere le spalle al muro
synonymTo have one's back to the wall
essere in un vicolo cieco
similarTo be in a dead end
stringere la cinghia
relatedTo tighten the belt
