A2 Idiom خنثی

mettere i bastoni tra le ruote

to hinder

معنی

to prevent someone from succeeding

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In Italian politics, this phrase is used almost daily in talk shows and newspapers to describe 'ostruzionismo parlamentare' (parliamentary obstructionism). Italians value 'bella figura' (making a good impression). Sabotaging someone else's 'bella figura' is a common context for this idiom. In Southern Italy, the phrase might be accompanied by a specific gesture: moving the hand as if shoving something into a wheel. The phrase dates back to the era of horse-drawn carriages and is found in Italian literature as far back as the 18th century.

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Use with Pronouns

It sounds much more natural to say 'Mi mette i bastoni...' than 'Mette i bastoni a me'.

⚠️

Don't use for accidents

If you trip someone by accident, don't use this phrase. It implies you did it on purpose.

معنی

to prevent someone from succeeding

💡

Use with Pronouns

It sounds much more natural to say 'Mi mette i bastoni...' than 'Mette i bastoni a me'.

⚠️

Don't use for accidents

If you trip someone by accident, don't use this phrase. It implies you did it on purpose.

🎯

Political Context

If you're reading an Italian newspaper, look for this phrase in the politics section. It's the standard way to describe opposition.

خودت رو بسنج

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.

Marco è geloso e mi ______ i bastoni tra le ruote ogni volta che può.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: mette

The verb used in this idiom is always 'mettere'.

Which situation best fits the idiom?

Quale situazione descrive 'mettere i bastoni tra le ruote'?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Nascondere le chiavi di un collega per non farlo andare a un appuntamento importante.

This is a deliberate act of sabotage to prevent someone from succeeding.

Match the Italian sentence with its English meaning.

Match the pairs:

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: all

These are standard translations of the idiom in different contexts.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

A: 'Perché il progetto è fermo?' B: 'Perché il sindacato sta ______.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: mettendo i bastoni tra le ruote

The gerund 'mettendo' is needed to describe an ongoing action.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

بانک تمرین

4 تمرین‌ها
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom. جای خالی A2

Marco è geloso e mi ______ i bastoni tra le ruote ogni volta che può.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: mette

The verb used in this idiom is always 'mettere'.

Which situation best fits the idiom? Choose A2

Quale situazione descrive 'mettere i bastoni tra le ruote'?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: Nascondere le chiavi di un collega per non farlo andare a un appuntamento importante.

This is a deliberate act of sabotage to prevent someone from succeeding.

Match the Italian sentence with its English meaning. Match B1

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

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: all

These are standard translations of the idiom in different contexts.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: 'Perché il progetto è fermo?' B: 'Perché il sindacato sta ______.'

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: mettendo i bastoni tra le ruote

The gerund 'mettendo' is needed to describe an ongoing action.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

سوالات متداول

10 سوال

No, it's not rude, but it is an accusation. Use it when you are genuinely frustrated by someone's interference.

Technically yes ('mi metto i bastoni tra le ruote da solo'), but 'darsi la zappa sui piedi' is more common for self-sabotage.

It's very rare. The idiom is fixed in the plural form.

Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom used from Milan to Sicily.

There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'dare una mano' (to give a hand) or 'facilitare la strada' are good antonyms.

It's better to use 'creare ostacoli' or 'impedire il progresso' in very formal emails.

Usually, yes. It implies that the person is doing it intentionally to stop you.

No, it is always 'le ruote'.

Very! Especially in comedies where there is a villain or a rival.

You can say 'Smettila di mettermi i bastoni tra le ruote!'.

عبارات مرتبط

🔗

rompere le uova nel paniere

similar

to spoil someone's plans (literally: to break the eggs in the basket)

🔗

darsi la zappa sui piedi

contrast

to shoot oneself in the foot

🔗

tagliare le gambe

similar

to cut someone's legs (to take the wind out of their sails)

🔗

mettere i piedi in testa

contrast

to walk all over someone

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