Significado
To examine someone or something very closely.
Contexto cultural
In Italy, 'fare le pulci' is often associated with the 'Agenzia delle Entrate' (Tax Office). Italians have a cultural fear/respect for the meticulousness of tax audits. In Italian universities, the 'controrelatore' (co-examiner) during a thesis defense is expected to 'fare le pulci' to the student's work to prove the rigor of the institution. Italian political talk shows (like 'Porta a Porta') often feature journalists whose entire job is to 'fare le pulci' to the promises made by politicians. The 'suocera' (mother-in-law) is a stereotypical figure in Italian culture who 'fa le pulci' to the way the house is kept or the children are raised.
Use it for Audits
In a business meeting, using 'fare le pulci' to describe a thorough review of a budget makes you sound like a native professional.
Don't overdo it
Calling someone a 'flea-checker' too often can make *you* sound like the negative one. Use it sparingly in social contexts.
Significado
To examine someone or something very closely.
Use it for Audits
In a business meeting, using 'fare le pulci' to describe a thorough review of a budget makes you sound like a native professional.
Don't overdo it
Calling someone a 'flea-checker' too often can make *you* sound like the negative one. Use it sparingly in social contexts.
The 'Pignolo' Connection
This idiom is the perfect verb to accompany the noun 'pignolo' (a pedant). 'È un pignolo, fa le pulci a tutto.'
Ponte a prueba
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo e della preposizione.
L'avvocato ______ ______ pulci ______ contratto per ore.
The idiom is 'fare le pulci a' + the object (il contratto).
Qual è il significato più vicino a 'fare le pulci'?
Quando il critico fa le pulci a un film, cosa sta facendo?
The idiom refers to microscopic, critical analysis.
Abbina la situazione alla frase corretta.
Situazione: Un revisore dei conti trova un errore di 10 centesimi in un bilancio di milioni.
Finding a tiny error in a large document is the definition of 'fare le pulci'.
Completa il dialogo.
A: 'Il mio nuovo capo controlla anche quante volte vado in bagno!' B: 'Accidenti, ______ ______ ______ ______ proprio su tutto!'
'Fare le pulci' fits the context of excessive control/scrutiny.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
When to use 'Fare le pulci'
Professional
- • Contracts
- • Budgets
- • Code Review
Personal
- • Cleaning
- • Grammar
- • Cooking
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosL'avvocato ______ ______ pulci ______ contratto per ore.
The idiom is 'fare le pulci a' + the object (il contratto).
Quando il critico fa le pulci a un film, cosa sta facendo?
The idiom refers to microscopic, critical analysis.
Situazione: Un revisore dei conti trova un errore di 10 centesimi in un bilancio di milioni.
Finding a tiny error in a large document is the definition of 'fare le pulci'.
A: 'Il mio nuovo capo controlla anche quante volte vado in bagno!' B: 'Accidenti, ______ ______ ______ ______ proprio su tutto!'
'Fare le pulci' fits the context of excessive control/scrutiny.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt can be slightly derogatory if used to describe someone's behavior, as it implies they are being too pedantic. However, in professional contexts, it can be neutral.
Usually no. It implies looking for errors or flaws. For a positive review, use 'analizzare a fondo' or 'apprezzare i dettagli'.
'Spulciare' is the verb form. You can 'spulciare un libro' (read it carefully). 'Fare le pulci' is more about the act of criticizing or auditing someone else.
Yes, but it's more common to say 'farsi le pulci' (reflexive). It means being very self-critical.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom understood from Milan to Palermo.
Yes, 'fare le pulci a un motore' means checking every tiny part of an engine for faults.
No, it's a bit too idiomatic. Use 'prestare massima attenzione ai dettagli' instead.
No, you can 'fare le pulci' to a project, a law, a budget, or a text.
Not exactly a slang version of the phrase, but 'fare le pulci' itself is quite colorful. A slang term for the person who does it is 'cacapoco'.
Historically, fleas were more common in clothing and bedding, making the 'search' through fabric a common visual.
Frases relacionadas
Cercare il pelo nell'uovo
synonymTo look for a hair in the egg.
Mettere i puntini sulle i
similarTo dot the i's.
Passare al setaccio
similarTo sift through.
Spulciare
builds onTo go through something thoroughly.
Fare le scarpe a qualcuno
contrastTo undermine/sabotage someone.
