Signification
Confusing one thing for another.
Contexte culturel
The idiom reflects Italy's agricultural past where fireflies were common in the summer months. They are a symbol of the Italian countryside. Journalists frequently use this phrase to criticize politicians who misinterpret public sentiment or economic data. While the phrase is national, in Tuscany, you might hear more variations involving 'fischi per fiaschi' due to the region's history with glassmaking (fiaschi). Gianni Rodari, a famous children's author, used this idiom to teach children about the importance of paying attention and the beauty of language.
Use it to apologize
It's a very polite and charming way to admit you were wrong without sounding incompetent.
Don't use with 'essere'
You 'take' (prendere) the fireflies, you aren't the fireflies. Avoid saying 'Sono lucciole per lanterne'.
Signification
Confusing one thing for another.
Use it to apologize
It's a very polite and charming way to admit you were wrong without sounding incompetent.
Don't use with 'essere'
You 'take' (prendere) the fireflies, you aren't the fireflies. Avoid saying 'Sono lucciole per lanterne'.
The 'L' Sound
Italians love the musicality of this phrase. Emphasize the 'L' sounds to sound more native.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct words.
Scusa, ho preso ______ per lanterne: pensavo che oggi fosse lunedì.
The idiom specifically uses 'lucciole' (fireflies).
What does this phrase mean in this context?
'Se pensi che quel film sia un capolavoro, prendi lucciole per lanterne.'
The phrase is used here to say the person's opinion of the movie is wrong.
Match the situation to the response.
Situation: You wave at a person in the street, but it's not your friend.
This is the perfect idiom for mistaking a person's identity.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'Guarda, quel cane è enorme!' B: 'Ma no, è un cavallo piccolo! Hai ______.'
The verb 'prendere' is the standard verb for this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesScusa, ho preso ______ per lanterne: pensavo che oggi fosse lunedì.
The idiom specifically uses 'lucciole' (fireflies).
'Se pensi che quel film sia un capolavoro, prendi lucciole per lanterne.'
The phrase is used here to say the person's opinion of the movie is wrong.
Situation: You wave at a person in the street, but it's not your friend.
This is the perfect idiom for mistaking a person's identity.
A: 'Guarda, quel cane è enorme!' B: 'Ma no, è un cavallo piccolo! Hai ______.'
The verb 'prendere' is the standard verb for this idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNot at all! While it has old roots, it is used daily in modern Italy, from TikTok comments to political talk shows.
Usually, it's for a slightly bigger conceptual mistake, but you can use it ironically for a small typo too.
'Prendere un granchio' is more about the act of making a mistake (like a 'fail'), while 'lucciole per lanterne' is specifically about confusing two things.
Yes, if you are explaining a past mistake you learned from. it shows good command of the language and a bit of humility.
Expressions liées
Prendere fischi per fiaschi
synonymTo confuse one thing for another.
Prendere un granchio
similarTo make a blunder.
Prendere un abbaglio
similarTo be mistaken or dazzled.
Vederci chiaro
contrastTo see things clearly.
