Signification
To expose something to chance.
Contexte culturel
In Italy, small family businesses are the backbone of the economy. 'Mettersi in gioco' is often used to describe the courage of an entrepreneur starting a 'startup' or a 'bottega'. Reality shows like 'Grande Fratello' or 'L'Isola dei Famosi' constantly use 'mettersi in gioco' to describe why celebrities are participating—to show their 'true' selves. The 'gioco' is sacred in Italy. When a team is losing, fans demand they 'mettano in gioco il cuore' (put their heart in the game), emphasizing passion over tactics. Modern Italian pedagogy encourages students to 'mettersi in gioco' through interactive labs rather than just passive listening.
Use it in Interviews
It's a 'magic phrase' in Italian job interviews. It shows you are proactive and not afraid of challenges.
Auxiliary Verb
Always use 'essere' with 'mettersi'. 'Mi sono messo in gioco' is correct. 'Mi ho messo' is a common error.
Signification
To expose something to chance.
Use it in Interviews
It's a 'magic phrase' in Italian job interviews. It shows you are proactive and not afraid of challenges.
Auxiliary Verb
Always use 'essere' with 'mettersi'. 'Mi sono messo in gioco' is correct. 'Mi ho messo' is a common error.
The 'Bella Figura'
Remember that 'mettersi in gioco' is highly respected because it means you are willing to risk your public image to achieve something.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'mettersi in gioco'.
Se vuoi trovare un nuovo amore, devi ______.
The sentence requires the reflexive form 'metterti' because it is addressed to 'tu'.
Which sentence uses the phrase correctly in a business context?
Scenario: A CEO is talking about a risky investment.
'Mettere in gioco' is the correct idiom for risking assets; 'nel gioco' is grammatically incorrect in this idiom.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'Ho paura di fallire in questo nuovo progetto.' B: 'Non preoccuparti, l'importante è ______.'
B is encouraging A to challenge themselves, which is the perfect use for 'mettersi in gioco'.
Match the sentence to the situation.
Sentence: 'Il pilota ha messo in gioco la sua vita.'
Risking one's life is a high-stakes usage of 'mettere in gioco'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Active vs Reflexive
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesSe vuoi trovare un nuovo amore, devi ______.
The sentence requires the reflexive form 'metterti' because it is addressed to 'tu'.
Scenario: A CEO is talking about a risky investment.
'Mettere in gioco' is the correct idiom for risking assets; 'nel gioco' is grammatically incorrect in this idiom.
A: 'Ho paura di fallire in questo nuovo progetto.' B: 'Non preoccuparti, l'importante è ______.'
B is encouraging A to challenge themselves, which is the perfect use for 'mettersi in gioco'.
Sentence: 'Il pilota ha messo in gioco la sua vita.'
Risking one's life is a high-stakes usage of 'mettere in gioco'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNot always. If you 'metti in gioco la vita', it's serious and potentially tragic. However, 'mettersi in gioco' (reflexive) is almost always seen as a positive, courageous trait.
Yes, 'mettere in gioco i propri risparmi' (to risk one's savings) is very common in financial contexts.
'Rischiare' is more direct and can be passive. 'Mettere in gioco' implies a more active choice to involve something in a 'game' or situation.
The best translation is 'Mi sono messo/a in gioco'.
Yes, it is appropriate for formal registers, especially when discussing strategy or personal commitment.
Yes, literally for putting the ball in play, and figuratively for the effort players put in.
It means to try again or reinvent yourself after a period of inactivity or a failure.
No, it is a standard idiomatic expression used by everyone from politicians to teenagers.
Yes, it means to propose an idea for discussion, risking that others might criticize it.
It always uses 'in'. You cannot say 'mettere a gioco' or 'mettere per gioco'.
Extremely. You'll hear it in almost every Italian drama where a character has to make a big life decision.
Yes, like 'La pioggia mette in gioco la riuscita dell'evento' (The rain jeopardizes the success of the event).
Expressions liées
Mettere in moto
similarTo start something/set in motion
Mettere a repentaglio
synonymTo jeopardize
Rischiare l'osso del collo
specialized formTo risk one's neck
Chiamare in causa
similarTo involve someone
Gettare la spugna
contrastTo throw in the towel
