Significado
To develop into a bad situation.
Contexto cultural
The idiom's roots in tailoring reflect Italy's historical status as a center for high-quality textiles and fashion. A 'piega' was a mark of status and care. Italians value social harmony in public. When a situation 'prende una brutta piega,' it's often a source of significant social anxiety because it threatens the 'bella figura.' Italian news often uses this phrase to describe the 'teatrino della politica' (the little theater of politics). It suggests that political maneuvers are like fabric being folded—sometimes skillfully, sometimes poorly. While used everywhere, in the South (like Naples), you might hear more colorful variations involving 'malamente,' but 'brutta piega' remains the standard idiomatic choice.
Use with the Subjunctive
To sound like a native, use it with 'temo che' (I fear that). 'Temo che la situazione prenda una brutta piega.' This shows high-level grammar control.
Don't use 'Fare'
Remember: Situations 'take' (prendere) a fold, they don't 'make' (fare) one. 'Fare una brutta piega' is a common learner error.
Significado
To develop into a bad situation.
Use with the Subjunctive
To sound like a native, use it with 'temo che' (I fear that). 'Temo che la situazione prenda una brutta piega.' This shows high-level grammar control.
Don't use 'Fare'
Remember: Situations 'take' (prendere) a fold, they don't 'make' (fare) one. 'Fare una brutta piega' is a common learner error.
The 'Bella Figura' connection
Using this phrase shows you understand the Italian focus on how things 'look' and 'evolve' socially.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'prendere' in the passato prossimo.
La discussione tra i due colleghi ieri ________ una brutta piega.
The idiom uses 'prendere' with the auxiliary 'avere'. 'Ha preso' is the correct third-person singular form.
Which situation is best described by 'prendere una brutta piega'?
Scegli la situazione corretta:
The idiom describes a situation evolving from good/neutral to bad.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Pensi che dovremmo annullare il contratto?' B: 'Sì, la trattativa ________.'
The continuous form 'sta prendendo' fits perfectly to describe an ongoing negotiation going wrong.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
3 ejerciciosLa discussione tra i due colleghi ieri ________ una brutta piega.
The idiom uses 'prendere' with the auxiliary 'avere'. 'Ha preso' is the correct third-person singular form.
Scegli la situazione corretta:
The idiom describes a situation evolving from good/neutral to bad.
A: 'Pensi che dovremmo annullare il contratto?' B: 'Sì, la trattativa ________.'
The continuous form 'sta prendendo' fits perfectly to describe an ongoing negotiation going wrong.
🎉 Puntuación: /3
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasYes, but it usually refers to their life path or behavior, not their physical appearance. 'Quel ragazzo sta prendendo una brutta piega' means he's starting to behave badly.
Yes, it's a perfect synonym. 'Brutta' is slightly more common in spoken Italian, while 'cattiva' can sound a bit more literary.
The opposite is 'prendere una buona piega' (to take a good turn).
It's neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a business meeting or a newspaper article.
Frases relacionadas
Mettersi male
similarTo look bad / to get ugly.
Prendere una buona piega
contrastTo take a good turn.
Andare a rotoli
builds onTo go to ruin.
Prendere una brutta china
synonymTo go down a slippery slope.
