Significado
To betray someone to take their place.
Contexto cultural
In Italian cinema, especially the 'Fantozzi' series, 'fare le scarpe' is a recurring theme representing the struggle of the 'little man' against ambitious, unscrupulous colleagues. While Americans use 'backstabbing,' the Italian 'fare le scarpe' is more specific to the act of *replacing* the person, not just hurting them. In Japanese corporate culture, harmony (wa) is valued, so 'making shoes' (sabotage) is often done much more indirectly than in the Italian context. The British might use 'to stitch someone up,' which implies framing them, similar to the deceptive nature of 'fare le scarpe'.
Don't use with 'per'
Saying 'fare le scarpe PER qualcuno' means you are doing them a favor by making shoes. Use 'A' for the idiom.
Use with 'cercare di'
It's very common to use this with 'cercare di' (to try to) because the betrayal is often an ongoing attempt.
Significado
To betray someone to take their place.
Don't use with 'per'
Saying 'fare le scarpe PER qualcuno' means you are doing them a favor by making shoes. Use 'A' for the idiom.
Use with 'cercare di'
It's very common to use this with 'cercare di' (to try to) because the betrayal is often an ongoing attempt.
Office Gossip
This is the #1 phrase for office gossip in Italy. If you hear it, pay attention—someone is in trouble!
Ponte a prueba
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'fare'.
Ieri il mio collega mi ______ le scarpe e ha preso il mio ufficio.
We use the 'passato prossimo' because the action happened at a specific time in the past ('ieri').
Qual è il significato corretto di 'fare le scarpe a qualcuno'?
Cosa significa se dico: 'Giulia ha fatto le scarpe a Sofia'?
The idiom specifically refers to betrayal for the purpose of usurpation.
In quale di queste situazioni useresti l'idioma?
Scegli la situazione adatta:
This situation involves both betrayal and the goal of taking a position.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
3 ejerciciosIeri il mio collega mi ______ le scarpe e ha preso il mio ufficio.
We use the 'passato prossimo' because the action happened at a specific time in the past ('ieri').
Cosa significa se dico: 'Giulia ha fatto le scarpe a Sofia'?
The idiom specifically refers to betrayal for the purpose of usurpation.
Scegli la situazione adatta:
This situation involves both betrayal and the goal of taking a position.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Preguntas frecuentes
5 preguntasIt's not vulgar, but it is accusatory. Use it to describe a situation, but be careful about accusing someone directly to their face.
No. It only applies if there was trickery or betrayal involved.
The idiom itself uses 'scarpe' (plural). If multiple people are being ousted, you just change the object: 'fare le scarpe a loro'.
No, this idiom is inherently negative. To say you earned a spot fairly, use 'meritare il posto'.
Avoid it. It sounds too informal and slightly cynical. Use 'competizione professionale' instead.
Frases relacionadas
soffiare il posto
synonymTo take someone's job/position.
mettere i bastoni tra le ruote
similarTo sabotage someone's plans.
segare le gambe
similarTo undermine someone's ability to act.
voltare le spalle
contrastTo turn one's back on someone.
