Signification
An important or powerful person.
Contexte culturel
In Italian companies, hierarchy is often very visible. A 'pezzo grosso' usually has a private office and is addressed with formal titles like 'Dottore' or 'Ingegnere'. The term is a staple in Italian 'Poliziottesco' films of the 70s and modern crime dramas, used to describe the untouchable bosses. Italians might use this phrase with a roll of the eyes to describe someone who is acting more important than they actually are. In the South, you might hear 'pezzo da novanta' more frequently in contexts related to local power structures or historical honor codes.
Use with 'si crede'
If someone is acting arrogant, say 'Si crede un pezzo grosso' to sound like a native.
Gender Trap
Remember: 'un pezzo grosso' for both men and women. Don't say 'una pezza'.
Signification
An important or powerful person.
Use with 'si crede'
If someone is acting arrogant, say 'Si crede un pezzo grosso' to sound like a native.
Gender Trap
Remember: 'un pezzo grosso' for both men and women. Don't say 'una pezza'.
Plural Agreement
Make sure to pluralize both: 'I pezzi grossi'.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Non posso decidere io, devo chiedere a un ______ ______.
The idiom is fixed as 'pezzo grosso'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct when referring to a woman?
Talking about Maria, the CEO:
'Pezzo' is masculine and doesn't change gender in this idiom.
Match the Italian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Matching the idiom and its variations.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Chi è quell'uomo con la scorta? B: ________.
Context of having a security detail (scorta) implies high status.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNon posso decidere io, devo chiedere a un ______ ______.
The idiom is fixed as 'pezzo grosso'.
Talking about Maria, the CEO:
'Pezzo' is masculine and doesn't change gender in this idiom.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Matching the idiom and its variations.
A: Chi è quell'uomo con la scorta? B: ________.
Context of having a security detail (scorta) implies high status.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsYes, but keep it masculine: 'Lei è un pezzo grosso'.
Usually no, it's descriptive. But it can be sarcastic if you say someone 'thinks' they are one.
'Pezzo da novanta' is more emphatic and often used for very high-level or slightly intimidating figures.
Only if you are talking informally with colleagues. Don't use it in a formal presentation.
No, it means 'big' in terms of importance or caliber.
Expressions liées
pezzo da novanta
similarA very important or high-caliber person.
alto papavero
synonymA high poppy (a big wig).
pesce grosso
similarA big fish.
persona di spicco
formal equivalentA prominent person.
pesce piccolo
contrastA small fish / a nobody.
