Signification
Taking a risk on an uncertain outcome.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is a direct descendant of the Latin 'Alea iacta est'. This historical connection makes the phrase feel 'weighty' and significant to Italians. Italy has a long history of public lotteries and games of chance. 'Tirare i dadi' evokes the atmosphere of old Italian bars where games like 'Zecchinetta' were played. In the startup hub of Milan, this phrase is used to describe the 'venture capital' spirit, often contrasting with the traditional Italian 'prudenza' (prudence). Because throwing dice is about luck, Italians might follow the phrase with a gesture to ward off bad luck, like 'incrociare le dita' (crossing fingers).
Use it in Job Interviews
Saying 'Ho deciso di tirare i dadi' shows you are a proactive problem-solver who isn't afraid of challenges.
Don't use it for tragedy
Avoid using this phrase when discussing serious illnesses or accidents, as it can sound insensitive.
Signification
Taking a risk on an uncertain outcome.
Use it in Job Interviews
Saying 'Ho deciso di tirare i dadi' shows you are a proactive problem-solver who isn't afraid of challenges.
Don't use it for tragedy
Avoid using this phrase when discussing serious illnesses or accidents, as it can sound insensitive.
The 'Fortuna' connection
Italians often follow this phrase with 'Speriamo in bene' (Let's hope for the best).
Teste-toi
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'tirare'.
Domani andrò dal capo e ______ i dadi: chiederò un aumento.
The context 'Domani' (tomorrow) requires the future tense.
Qual è il significato figurato di 'tirare i dadi'?
Quando qualcuno dice 'Ho tirato i dadi', cosa intende?
The idiom refers to taking a chance or a leap of faith.
Abbina la situazione alla frase corretta.
Situazione: Un imprenditore lancia un prodotto innovativo ma rischioso.
'Tirare i dadi' is the perfect fit for a business risk. 'Tirare la corda' means to push someone's patience, and 'dare i numeri' means to go crazy.
Completa il dialogo.
A: 'Non so se investire in questa criptovaluta.' B: 'Beh, a volte bisogna solo ______.'
'Tirare i dadi' is the standard idiomatic expression.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to Roll the Dice
High Risk
- • New Startup
- • Moving Abroad
- • Marriage Proposal
Low Risk (Don't use it!)
- • Buying milk
- • Choosing a movie
- • Walking the dog
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDomani andrò dal capo e ______ i dadi: chiederò un aumento.
The context 'Domani' (tomorrow) requires the future tense.
Quando qualcuno dice 'Ho tirato i dadi', cosa intende?
The idiom refers to taking a chance or a leap of faith.
Situazione: Un imprenditore lancia un prodotto innovativo ma rischioso.
'Tirare i dadi' is the perfect fit for a business risk. 'Tirare la corda' means to push someone's patience, and 'dare i numeri' means to go crazy.
A: 'Non so se investire in questa criptovaluta.' B: 'Beh, a volte bisogna solo ______.'
'Tirare i dadi' is the standard idiomatic expression.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but 'lanciare' is more literal. Use 'tirare' for the idiomatic sense of taking a risk.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting.
Usually, yes. It implies that the outcome is significant and out of your hands.
Use 'Il dado è tratto'. It's more dramatic and final than 'tirare i dadi'.
In the idiom, yes. Using 'dado' (singular) makes it sound like a literal game or a specific quote.
It sounds a bit dramatic for small things, but you can use it ironically.
'Rischiare' is the general verb for risking. 'Tirare i dadi' is more idiomatic and emphasizes the 'chance' aspect.
Yes, many Italian pop and rock songs use it to describe love or life choices.
Yes, always 'i dadi'.
It's a bit poetic/cliché, but grammatically correct.
Expressions liées
Il dado è tratto
specialized formThe decision is made and cannot be changed.
Giocarsi il tutto per tutto
similarTo risk everything on one last attempt.
Tentare la sorte
synonymTo try one's luck.
Andare a colpo sicuro
contrastTo act with total certainty of success.
