B1 Idiom 중립

Passare la palla

To pass the responsibility

To delegate a task or duty.

🌍

문화적 배경

The phrase is ubiquitous in Italian political talk shows (like 'Porta a Porta'), where guests often 'pass the ball' to avoid answering direct questions about accountability. In Italian startups, 'passare la palla' is seen as a sign of 'agilità' (agility), moving away from old-fashioned rigid hierarchies toward more fluid teamwork. Italian soccer commentators use 'passaggio filtrante' for a ball passed through defenders, but 'passare la palla' remains the general term for any hand-off. In many Italian families, the 'palla' of decision-making for Sunday lunch is often passed to the 'nonna' (grandmother), who has the final word on the menu.

💡

Use with Pronouns

To sound like a native, use combined pronouns like 'Passagliela' (Pass it to him/her).

⚠️

Don't say 'Pallone'

Even though a soccer ball is a 'pallone', the idiom only works with 'palla'.

To delegate a task or duty.

💡

Use with Pronouns

To sound like a native, use combined pronouns like 'Passagliela' (Pass it to him/her).

⚠️

Don't say 'Pallone'

Even though a soccer ball is a 'pallone', the idiom only works with 'palla'.

🎯

Email Etiquette

Use 'Passo la palla a [Nome]' at the end of an email to clearly signal a handover.

💬

Sports Talk

Italians love sports metaphors; using this will make you sound very integrated into the culture.

셀프 테스트

Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'passare'.

Ho finito il mio turno, ora ______ la palla a te.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: passo

The subject is 'Io' (I), so the verb must be 'passo'.

Quale frase usa l'idioma in modo corretto in un contesto professionale?

Scegli l'opzione migliore:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Devo passare la palla al mio collega per la firma del contratto.

'Passare la palla' is the standard idiomatic expression for delegation.

Abbina la frase alla situazione corretta.

Frase: 'Non passarmi la palla proprio adesso che c'è un problema!'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Un collega che cerca di darti una responsabilità difficile.

The phrase expresses frustration at receiving a difficult task ('the ball') during a crisis.

Completa il dialogo.

A: 'Chi sceglie la musica per la festa?' B: 'Io non ho gusti moderni, _________________.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: passo la palla a voi

B wants to delegate the choice to the others.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

Passare la Palla vs Scaricare il Barile

Passare la Palla
Teamwork Collaborazione
Neutral Neutrale
Scaricare il Barile
Blame Colpa
Negative Negativo

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'passare'. Fill Blank A2

Ho finito il mio turno, ora ______ la palla a te.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: passo

The subject is 'Io' (I), so the verb must be 'passo'.

Quale frase usa l'idioma in modo corretto in un contesto professionale? Choose B1

Scegli l'opzione migliore:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Devo passare la palla al mio collega per la firma del contratto.

'Passare la palla' is the standard idiomatic expression for delegation.

Abbina la frase alla situazione corretta. situation_matching B1

Frase: 'Non passarmi la palla proprio adesso che c'è un problema!'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Un collega che cerca di darti una responsabilità difficile.

The phrase expresses frustration at receiving a difficult task ('the ball') during a crisis.

Completa il dialogo. dialogue_completion B1

A: 'Chi sceglie la musica per la festa?' B: 'Io non ho gusti moderni, _________________.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: passo la palla a voi

B wants to delegate the choice to the others.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

14 질문

No, it's generally neutral. It only becomes rude if you are clearly trying to avoid work you should be doing yourself.

It's better for emails or meetings. In a formal letter, use 'delegare'.

'Palla' is the general word for ball; 'pallone' is specifically a large, inflated ball like a soccer ball.

Yes, you usually pass the ball *to* someone (a person, a team, or a department).

Yes, it is a standard national idiom.

Yes, you can use it literally when playing sports.

Use 'scaricare il barile'.

Very common, especially in office comedies or crime dramas where people shift blame.

No, that doesn't make sense idiomaticially. You 'take' the ball if you want responsibility.

'Prendersi la responsabilità' or 'tenere palla' (to hog the ball).

Yes: 'Gli ho passato la palla ieri.'

Yes, basketball and volleyball too, but soccer is the main cultural driver in Italy.

Not really. For secrets, we use 'vuotare il sacco' (to empty the bag).

No, it's a standard idiom used by all age groups.

관련 표현

🔗

Passare il testimone

similar

To pass the baton

🔗

Scaricare il barile

contrast

To pass the buck

🔗

Cedere il passo

similar

To give way

🔗

Prendere la palla al balzo

builds on

To seize the opportunity

🔗

Mettere la palla in centro

specialized form

To start over

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