B2 Expression خنثی

Colpo di spugna

To wipe the slate clean

معنی

To forgive or cancel past errors or debts.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

The term is frequently used in political satire and journalism to criticize 'amnistie' (amnesties). It suggests that the government is washing away the sins of the powerful. The phrase evokes the nostalgia of the 'vecchia scuola' (old school) where the chalkboard was the center of the universe. Every Italian adult remembers the sound of the wet sponge on the slate. The concept of 'assoluzione' (absolution) in the Catholic Church is a spiritual 'colpo di spugna'. This religious background makes the idea of a total reset very familiar to Italians. In Italy, 'condoni fiscali' are common. These are periods where you can pay a small fraction of your tax debt to have the rest cancelled—a literal financial colpo di spugna.

🎯

Use with 'Passato'

The most natural pairing for this phrase is 'al passato'. If you're unsure how to use it, start with 'Diamo un colpo di spugna al passato'.

⚠️

Don't 'Throw' the Sponge

Remember that 'Gettare la spugna' (to throw the sponge) means giving up, while 'Dare un colpo di spugna' means erasing. Don't mix them up in a crisis!

معنی

To forgive or cancel past errors or debts.

🎯

Use with 'Passato'

The most natural pairing for this phrase is 'al passato'. If you're unsure how to use it, start with 'Diamo un colpo di spugna al passato'.

⚠️

Don't 'Throw' the Sponge

Remember that 'Gettare la spugna' (to throw the sponge) means giving up, while 'Dare un colpo di spugna' means erasing. Don't mix them up in a crisis!

💬

Journalistic Tone

When you read this in a newspaper, look for the tone. If the journalist is talking about a law, they are likely being sarcastic or critical.

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the sentence with the correct verb and preposition.

Se vogliamo restare amici, dobbiamo ______ un colpo di spugna ______ passato.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: a

The standard idiom is 'dare un colpo di spugna a' (to give a stroke of the sponge to).

In which situation is 'colpo di spugna' used with a NEGATIVE connotation?

Quale di queste frasi ha una connotazione negativa?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: b

In politics, it often implies that justice is being avoided or 'wiped away' unfairly.

Match the Italian idiom with its English equivalent.

Abbina le espressioni:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: a

All these are related, but 'colpo di spugna' specifically matches 'wipe the slate clean'.

Complete the dialogue naturally.

A: 'Mi senti ancora offeso per quello che ho detto?' B: 'No, tranquillo. ______.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: a

The speaker is saying they have forgiven and forgotten the offense.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها
Complete the sentence with the correct verb and preposition. جای خالی B1

Se vogliamo restare amici, dobbiamo ______ un colpo di spugna ______ passato.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: a

The standard idiom is 'dare un colpo di spugna a' (to give a stroke of the sponge to).

In which situation is 'colpo di spugna' used with a NEGATIVE connotation? Choose B2

Quale di queste frasi ha una connotazione negativa?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: b

In politics, it often implies that justice is being avoided or 'wiped away' unfairly.

Match the Italian idiom with its English equivalent. Match B1

هر مورد سمت چپ را با جفتش در سمت راست مطابقت دهید:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: a

All these are related, but 'colpo di spugna' specifically matches 'wipe the slate clean'.

Complete the dialogue naturally. dialogue_completion B2

A: 'Mi senti ancora offeso per quello che ho detto?' B: 'No, tranquillo. ______.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: a

The speaker is saying they have forgiven and forgotten the offense.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

سوالات متداول

14 سوال

It depends on the context. In relationships, it's usually positive (forgiveness). In politics, it's often negative (impunity).

You can, but it sounds a bit dramatic. Just say 'passare la spugna' for literal cleaning.

'Voltare pagina' is about moving forward; 'colpo di spugna' is about erasing what's behind.

It's neutral. You can use it with friends, but you'll also see it in serious political editorials.

No, that's not a standard idiom, although 'passare la gomma' (to use an eraser) is used in Portuguese.

Yes, very. Especially when people want to end an argument quickly.

Not necessarily. It can be used for massive debts or major political scandals.

Yes, if you're talking about learning from a past failure and wanting a fresh start.

Use 'dare' (to give) or 'passare' (to pass).

Not really. You wouldn't say 'due colpi di spugna'. It's a singular concept.

No, it's very modern and frequently used in current news.

Yes, it's one of the most common uses (cancellare un debito).

Amnistia is the legal term; colpo di spugna is the idiomatic/journalistic way to describe it.

This is exactly the phrase you need: 'dare un colpo di spugna'.

عبارات مرتبط

🔄

Mettere una pietra sopra

synonym

To bury the hatchet / put something behind you.

🔗

Voltare pagina

similar

To turn the page / start a new chapter.

🔗

Ripartire da zero

builds on

To start from scratch.

🔗

Fare tabula rasa

specialized form

To make a clean sweep / clear everything out.

مفید بود؟
هنوز نظری وجود ندارد. اولین نفری باشید که افکار خود را به اشتراک می‌گذارد!