Meaning
To be very trendy or widely accepted.
Cultural Background
The phrase is a living fossil of the Guild system. Understanding this helps you realize that Italian culture has always been organized around 'groups' and 'status'. Journalists love this phrase. You will see it in headlines about everything from politics (which party is leading) to summer travel trends. In Milan, the fashion capital, this phrase is used to distinguish between a 'passing fad' and a 'dominant trend'. Italians often use this to describe 'omologazione' (conformity). Sometimes it's used with a hint of irony to suggest everyone is doing the same thing.
Use it for market analysis
If you are in a business context, use this phrase to sound like a native expert when discussing what competitors are doing.
Don't pluralize 'maggiore'
Even if you are talking about 'i vestiti' (plural), it is always 'vanno per la maggiore', never 'vanno per le maggiori'.
Meaning
To be very trendy or widely accepted.
Use it for market analysis
If you are in a business context, use this phrase to sound like a native expert when discussing what competitors are doing.
Don't pluralize 'maggiore'
Even if you are talking about 'i vestiti' (plural), it is always 'vanno per la maggiore', never 'vanno per le maggiori'.
The 'Cool' Factor
Using this phrase instead of 'è popolare' immediately makes you sound more integrated into Italian culture.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma corretta del verbo 'andare'.
Negli anni '60, i Beatles ________ per la maggiore in tutto il mondo.
The sentence refers to a past period ('Negli anni '60'), so the imperfetto 'andavano' is required.
Quale di queste frasi è corretta?
Scegli la frase che usa correttamente l'espressione.
The fixed phrase is 'per la maggiore' (feminine singular).
In quale situazione useresti 'andare per la maggiore'?
Abbina la situazione all'uso corretto.
The phrase is used to describe trends and popular choices, not personal feelings or basic facts.
Completa il dialogo.
A: 'Che tipo di musica ascoltano i ragazzi oggi?' B: 'La musica trap ________.'
The correct verb is 'andare' and the correct article is 'la'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNegli anni '60, i Beatles ________ per la maggiore in tutto il mondo.
The sentence refers to a past period ('Negli anni '60'), so the imperfetto 'andavano' is required.
Scegli la frase che usa correttamente l'espressione.
The fixed phrase is 'per la maggiore' (feminine singular).
Abbina la situazione all'uso corretto.
The phrase is used to describe trends and popular choices, not personal feelings or basic facts.
A: 'Che tipo di musica ascoltano i ragazzi oggi?' B: 'La musica trap ________.'
The correct verb is 'andare' and the correct article is 'la'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes! You can say 'In questo momento, quell'attore va per la maggiore' to mean he is very famous and in demand.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a newspaper article or a business presentation.
Because it historically refers to 'l'arte maggiore' (the greater guild), and 'arte' is feminine.
Technically no, it's not a standard idiom. To say something is unpopular, you'd say 'non va molto' or 'è poco diffuso'.
No, it applies to any trend: food, technology, ideas, political parties, or holiday destinations.
Related Phrases
essere in voga
synonymTo be in fashion.
andare forte
similarTo be very successful.
essere di moda
synonymTo be trendy.
andare controcorrente
contrastTo go against the current.
