Significado
A long-standing problem that must finally be addressed.
Contexto cultural
The phrase is a staple of Italian political journalism. It is often used to describe the 'Day of Reckoning' for public debt or corruption scandals (Tangentopoli). Authors like Alessandro Manzoni used similar concepts to discuss divine justice. In 'I Promessi Sposi', the idea that 'God doesn't pay every Saturday' but eventually settles all accounts is a thematic cousin to this idiom. Italy's history of high-quality textile production (weaving) made metaphors involving threads and combs very common in the language. Italian parents often use this phrase as a warning to children who lie or hide their bad grades.
Use the plural
While 'il nodo' (singular) is possible, the plural 'i nodi' is much more common and sounds more natural in general conversation.
Don't use for luck
Remember, this is about causality. Don't use it if someone wins the lottery or has a random stroke of good luck.
Significado
A long-standing problem that must finally be addressed.
Use the plural
While 'il nodo' (singular) is possible, the plural 'i nodi' is much more common and sounds more natural in general conversation.
Don't use for luck
Remember, this is about causality. Don't use it if someone wins the lottery or has a random stroke of good luck.
Journalistic flair
If you are writing an essay in Italian, using this phrase to conclude a paragraph about a crisis will make you sound like a native editorialist.
Ponte a prueba
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'venire'.
Sapevo che prima o poi tutti i nodi ________ al pettine.
In a general statement of truth (proverbial), the present tense 'vengono' is most common.
Qual è il significato figurato di 'un nodo al pettine'?
Quando diciamo che un nodo è venuto al pettine, intendiamo che:
The idiom refers to the moment an unresolved issue demands attention.
In quale di queste situazioni useresti l'idioma?
Scegli la situazione appropriata:
The arrest is the 'comb' catching the 'knot' of the past fraud.
Completa il dialogo tra due colleghi.
A: 'L'azienda sta fallendo perché non hanno mai pagato le tasse.' B: 'Eh già, ________.'
This is the natural idiomatic response to a situation of inevitable consequences.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosSapevo che prima o poi tutti i nodi ________ al pettine.
In a general statement of truth (proverbial), the present tense 'vengono' is most common.
Quando diciamo che un nodo è venuto al pettine, intendiamo che:
The idiom refers to the moment an unresolved issue demands attention.
Scegli la situazione appropriata:
The arrest is the 'comb' catching the 'knot' of the past fraud.
A: 'L'azienda sta fallendo perché non hanno mai pagato le tasse.' B: 'Eh già, ________.'
This is the natural idiomatic response to a situation of inevitable consequences.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, almost always. It refers to problems or mistakes catching up with you. You wouldn't use it for a positive secret being revealed.
Yes, 'arrivare al pettine' is a common and correct variation of 'venire al pettine'.
It might be too informal or accusatory if you're talking about your own past. Use it only if discussing general market trends or case studies.
The closest equivalents are 'the chickens come home to roost' or 'the truth will out.'
Not necessarily, but it often implies some form of punishment or significant difficulty.
No, that is not an idiom. Stick to 'pettine'.
It is both. 'Tutti i nodi vengono al pettine' is a proverb, while 'venire al pettine' is the idiomatic verbal phrase.
Yes, 'verranno al pettine' is a great way to warn someone about future consequences.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized from North to South.
Only if the car broke because you skipped maintenance for years. If it broke because of a random nail in the tire, no.
Frases relacionadas
Venire a galla
similarTo come to the surface / to be revealed.
Rendere i conti
similarTo settle the accounts.
Mettere i puntini sulle i
contrastTo dot the i's (be very precise).
Cercare il pelo nell'uovo
contrastTo look for the hair in the egg (be nitpicky).
