Bedeutung
Being involved in a very difficult situation.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Italians are known for being expressive. Using idioms like this helps convey the 'drama' of a situation, which is a key part of Italian social bonding. In Sicilian literature (like Sciascia or Camilleri), 'guai' often refers to the complex web of social obligations and legal troubles characters face. In Italian startups, this phrase is often used ironically to describe the 'crunch time' before a product launch. Young Italians might swap 'guai' for more colorful or vulgar terms, but the 'fino al collo' structure remains a staple of their slang.
Use with 'cacciarsi'
Instead of 'essere', use 'cacciarsi' (to hunt/throw oneself into) to emphasize that the person caused their own trouble.
Don't use for small things
If you use this for a broken fingernail, Italians will think you are being extremely sarcastic.
Bedeutung
Being involved in a very difficult situation.
Use with 'cacciarsi'
Instead of 'essere', use 'cacciarsi' (to hunt/throw oneself into) to emphasize that the person caused their own trouble.
Don't use for small things
If you use this for a broken fingernail, Italians will think you are being extremely sarcastic.
Body Language
When saying this, Italians often touch their neck with the side of their hand to emphasize the 'depth'.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Se il capo scopre l'errore, noi ______ nei guai fino al ______.
The verb must be 'essere' (siamo) and the body part is 'collo'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'essere nei guai fino al collo'?
Quale situazione è adatta?
The idiom is for serious, life-altering problems, not minor inconveniences.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hai pagato le tasse? B: No, e ora l'agenzia delle entrate mi ha scritto. A: Cavolo, allora ______!
'Sei nei guai fino al collo' fits the serious legal/financial threat.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use it
Serious
- • Bankruptcy
- • Crime
- • Expulsion
Not Serious
- • Cold coffee
- • Late bus
- • No milk
Aufgabensammlung
3 AufgabenSe il capo scopre l'errore, noi ______ nei guai fino al ______.
The verb must be 'essere' (siamo) and the body part is 'collo'.
Quale situazione è adatta?
The idiom is for serious, life-altering problems, not minor inconveniences.
A: Hai pagato le tasse? B: No, e ora l'agenzia delle entrate mi ha scritto. A: Cavolo, allora ______!
'Sei nei guai fino al collo' fits the serious legal/financial threat.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, that's a different idiom ('avere l'acqua alla gola'). Stick to 'collo' for 'guai'.
Not rude, but very informal. Don't use it with your CEO unless you have a very close relationship.
No, 'guai' are always negative.
The singular is 'guaio', but it's rarely used in this specific idiom.
Yes, you can say 'trovarsi in una situazione molto difficile'.
No, it can be legal, romantic, or professional trouble.
You can say 'L'ho messo nei guai fino al collo'.
Yes, it is a standard idiom understood from Milan to Sicily.
Only if you are describing a past challenge you overcame, but use it sparingly.
'Guai' sounds more dramatic and implies consequences or 'woe'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
avere l'acqua alla gola
similarTo be in a desperate situation with no time.
essere al verde
specialized formTo be completely broke.
cacciarsi in un vicolo cieco
similarTo get into a dead end.
essere in una botte di ferro
contrastTo be perfectly safe/protected.
