Signification
Someone who is unwilling to spend money.
Contexte culturel
There is a long-standing Italian stereotype that people from Genoa are the stingiest in Italy. You will often hear 'Sei un genovese' used as a synonym for 'Hai le braccine corte'. Tuscans are known for their sharp wit and use of diminutives. They frequently use 'braccino' to mock friends in a way that is biting but socially acceptable. In the South, hospitality is sacred. Having 'braccine corte' is seen as a much more serious character flaw than in the North, where it might be laughed off more easily. Young Italians use this phrase on social media, often tagging friends in memes featuring T-Rexes struggling to reach things, to jokingly call them out for not sharing costs.
Use the singular
If you want to sound more like a local, use 'il braccino corto' instead of the plural.
Watch your tone
This can be a real insult if said with a serious face. Always use a playful tone unless you mean to offend.
Signification
Someone who is unwilling to spend money.
Use the singular
If you want to sound more like a local, use 'il braccino corto' instead of the plural.
Watch your tone
This can be a real insult if said with a serious face. Always use a playful tone unless you mean to offend.
The 'Genovese' joke
If you are in Italy, you can swap 'braccine corte' with 'essere genovese' for a classic cultural joke.
The 'T-Rex' gesture
Italians often accompany this phrase by tucking their hands into their armpits to mimic short arms.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Nonostante sia milionario, Marco non offre mai niente; ha proprio le ______ ______.
The idiom for stinginess is 'braccine corte'.
Which verb is typically used with this idiom?
Quando arriva il conto, a lui ______ sempre le braccine corte.
'Venire le braccine corte' is a common way to say someone 'gets' stingy suddenly.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
In which situation would you say 'Hai le braccine corte'?
The phrase is used for stinginess over small amounts.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Dividiamo il conto in parti uguali?' B: 'No, io non ho preso il dolce!' A: 'Ma dai, non fare il ______ ______!'
'Fare il braccino corto' is the singular variation of the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Arms and Hands Idioms
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNonostante sia milionario, Marco non offre mai niente; ha proprio le ______ ______.
The idiom for stinginess is 'braccine corte'.
Quando arriva il conto, a lui ______ sempre le braccine corte.
'Venire le braccine corte' is a common way to say someone 'gets' stingy suddenly.
In which situation would you say 'Hai le braccine corte'?
The phrase is used for stinginess over small amounts.
A: 'Dividiamo il conto in parti uguali?' B: 'No, io non ho preso il dolce!' A: 'Ma dai, non fare il ______ ______!'
'Fare il braccino corto' is the singular variation of the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsIt's a mild insult. Between friends, it's a joke. To a stranger, it's rude.
Yes, it's used for everyone. 'Lei ha le braccine corte.'
The opposite is 'avere le mani bucate' (to have holes in your hands/spend too much).
No, it's strictly informal/slang.
The diminutive '-ine' makes it sound more sarcastic and mocking.
Yes, it is almost always 'avere LE braccine corte'.
No, the idiom is fixed with 'corte' (short).
Yes, but 'taccagno' or 'tirchio' are also very frequent there.
Yes, you can say a company has 'le braccine corte' if they don't pay well.
No, it usually implies they HAVE money but don't want to spend it.
Yes, mimicking a T-Rex or tapping your elbow with the opposite hand.
Yes, it's very common in WhatsApp chats with friends.
Expressions liées
Essere un tirchio
synonymTo be stingy
Avere le mani bucate
contrastTo spend money like water
Essere taccagno
synonymTo be cheap
Mollare l'osso
builds onTo let go of the bone
Fare la cresta
similarTo keep the change/skim off the top
