C1 Idiom 중립

Un nodo al pettine

A hurdle to overcome

A long-standing problem that must finally be addressed.

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문화적 배경

The phrase is a staple of Italian political journalism. It is often used to describe the 'Day of Reckoning' for public debt or corruption scandals (Tangentopoli). Authors like Alessandro Manzoni used similar concepts to discuss divine justice. In 'I Promessi Sposi', the idea that 'God doesn't pay every Saturday' but eventually settles all accounts is a thematic cousin to this idiom. Italy's history of high-quality textile production (weaving) made metaphors involving threads and combs very common in the language. Italian parents often use this phrase as a warning to children who lie or hide their bad grades.

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Use the plural

While 'il nodo' (singular) is possible, the plural 'i nodi' is much more common and sounds more natural in general conversation.

⚠️

Don't use for luck

Remember, this is about causality. Don't use it if someone wins the lottery or has a random stroke of good luck.

A long-standing problem that must finally be addressed.

💡

Use the plural

While 'il nodo' (singular) is possible, the plural 'i nodi' is much more common and sounds more natural in general conversation.

⚠️

Don't use for luck

Remember, this is about causality. Don't use it if someone wins the lottery or has a random stroke of good luck.

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Journalistic flair

If you are writing an essay in Italian, using this phrase to conclude a paragraph about a crisis will make you sound like a native editorialist.

셀프 테스트

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

Sapevo che prima o poi tutti i nodi ________ al pettine.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: vengono

In a general statement of truth (proverbial), the present tense 'vengono' is most common.

Qual è il significato figurato di 'un nodo al pettine'?

Quando diciamo che un nodo è venuto al pettine, intendiamo che:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Un problema trascurato è diventato impossibile da ignorare.

The idiom refers to the moment an unresolved issue demands attention.

In quale di queste situazioni useresti l'idioma?

Scegli la situazione appropriata:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Un politico viene arrestato per una frode commessa dieci anni fa.

The arrest is the 'comb' catching the 'knot' of the past fraud.

Completa il dialogo tra due colleghi.

A: 'L'azienda sta fallendo perché non hanno mai pagato le tasse.' B: 'Eh già, ________.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: i nodi vengono al pettine

This is the natural idiomatic response to a situation of inevitable consequences.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'venire'. Fill Blank B1

Sapevo che prima o poi tutti i nodi ________ al pettine.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: vengono

In a general statement of truth (proverbial), the present tense 'vengono' is most common.

Qual è il significato figurato di 'un nodo al pettine'? Choose A2

Quando diciamo che un nodo è venuto al pettine, intendiamo che:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Un problema trascurato è diventato impossibile da ignorare.

The idiom refers to the moment an unresolved issue demands attention.

In quale di queste situazioni useresti l'idioma? situation_matching B2

Scegli la situazione appropriata:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Un politico viene arrestato per una frode commessa dieci anni fa.

The arrest is the 'comb' catching the 'knot' of the past fraud.

Completa il dialogo tra due colleghi. dialogue_completion B1

A: 'L'azienda sta fallendo perché non hanno mai pagato le tasse.' B: 'Eh già, ________.'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: i nodi vengono al pettine

This is the natural idiomatic response to a situation of inevitable consequences.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Yes, almost always. It refers to problems or mistakes catching up with you. You wouldn't use it for a positive secret being revealed.

Yes, 'arrivare al pettine' is a common and correct variation of 'venire al pettine'.

It might be too informal or accusatory if you're talking about your own past. Use it only if discussing general market trends or case studies.

The closest equivalents are 'the chickens come home to roost' or 'the truth will out.'

Not necessarily, but it often implies some form of punishment or significant difficulty.

No, that is not an idiom. Stick to 'pettine'.

It is both. 'Tutti i nodi vengono al pettine' is a proverb, while 'venire al pettine' is the idiomatic verbal phrase.

Yes, 'verranno al pettine' is a great way to warn someone about future consequences.

Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized from North to South.

Only if the car broke because you skipped maintenance for years. If it broke because of a random nail in the tire, no.

관련 표현

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Venire a galla

similar

To come to the surface / to be revealed.

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Rendere i conti

similar

To settle the accounts.

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Mettere i puntini sulle i

contrast

To dot the i's (be very precise).

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Cercare il pelo nell'uovo

contrast

To look for the hair in the egg (be nitpicky).

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