Signification
Explaining everything very carefully.
Contexte culturel
The phrase highlights the historical prestige of the Italian textile industry, which has been a pillar of the economy since the Middle Ages. In Italy, 'fare quattro chiacchiere' (having a chat) often involves long, detailed stories where this phrase is used to build anticipation. Italian bureaucracy is famous for requiring extreme detail. This phrase is often heard in offices when clerks ask for information. Passing down recipes is a sacred act in Italy. Doing it 'per filo e per segno' ensures the 'segreto della nonna' isn't lost.
Use it to show you're listening
If someone is telling you a story, say 'Raccontami tutto per filo e per segno!' to show you are genuinely interested in every detail.
Don't pluralize!
Never say 'per fili e per segni'. It sounds very wrong to native ears.
Signification
Explaining everything very carefully.
Use it to show you're listening
If someone is telling you a story, say 'Raccontami tutto per filo e per segno!' to show you are genuinely interested in every detail.
Don't pluralize!
Never say 'per fili e per segni'. It sounds very wrong to native ears.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct prepositions.
Ho raccontato la storia ___ filo e ___ segno.
The idiom 'per filo e per segno' always uses the preposition 'per'.
Which verb is MOST commonly used with this phrase?
Quale verbo è più comune con 'per filo e per segno'?
'Raccontare' (to tell) is the most frequent partner for this idiom.
In which situation would you use 'per filo e per segno'?
Scegli la situazione corretta:
The phrase implies a detailed, thorough explanation.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesHo raccontato la storia ___ filo e ___ segno.
The idiom 'per filo e per segno' always uses the preposition 'per'.
Quale verbo è più comune con 'per filo e per segno'?
'Raccontare' (to tell) is the most frequent partner for this idiom.
Scegli la situazione corretta:
The phrase implies a detailed, thorough explanation.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsIt's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Yes, it's very common in both literature and journalism.
It refers to a physical mark or sign, like a chalk line on fabric.
No, the order is fixed. It's always 'filo' then 'segno'.
Expressions liées
nei minimi dettagli
synonymin the smallest details
a menadito
similarto know perfectly
in quattro e quattr'otto
contrastvery quickly / in a flash
