Meaning
To be very active or moving fast.
Cultural Background
The idiom is a testament to Italy's love for cars. Brands like Fiat, Ferrari, and Lamborghini aren't just companies; they are national symbols of 'velocità' (speed) and 'stile' (style). In Milan, the business capital, being 'in quarta' is a point of pride. It aligns with the 'Milano da bere' lifestyle of the 80s—fast work, fast success, fast socializing. Classic movies from the 60s often feature protagonists driving fast cars as a metaphor for their social climbing or energetic pursuit of life. Italians value 'grinta' (grit). Someone who is 'in quarta' is seen as reliable and passionate, though 'partire in quarta' can sometimes be a warning against being too impulsive.
Use it for Coffee
If you want to sound very native, use it when talking about caffeine. 'Dopo il caffè sono in quarta' is a classic Italian sentence.
Watch the Gender
Always use 'quarta' (feminine). Even if you are a man, you are 'in quarta' because you are in the 4th gear (marcia).
Meaning
To be very active or moving fast.
Use it for Coffee
If you want to sound very native, use it when talking about caffeine. 'Dopo il caffè sono in quarta' is a classic Italian sentence.
Watch the Gender
Always use 'quarta' (feminine). Even if you are a man, you are 'in quarta' because you are in the 4th gear (marcia).
Aggressive Starts
Remember that 'partire in quarta' can be negative. If you say someone 'è partito in quarta' during a discussion, it often means they were too aggressive.
Opposites
To say you are taking it slow, you can say you are 'in prima' or 'a passo d'uomo' (at a walking pace).
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la forma corretta di 'essere' o 'partire' e l'espressione 'in quarta'.
Appena ha visto i saldi, Maria _________ per comprare tutto.
We use 'partire in quarta' because it describes the sudden start of an action (going to the sales).
Quale di queste frasi è corretta?
Scegli la frase che usa l'idioma correttamente:
'In quarta' is the correct idiomatic form. 'In quattro' means 'four people'.
Abbina la situazione alla variante corretta dell'idioma.
Situazione: Un collega inizia subito a criticare il tuo lavoro senza nemmeno salutare.
'Partire in quarta' is used when someone starts an interaction with high (often excessive) intensity.
Completa il dialogo.
A: 'Come va il nuovo progetto?' B: 'Benissimo, ormai _________ e non ci ferma più nessuno!'
The context of 'not stopping' and 'going well' fits the state of 'essere in quarta'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gears of Life
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAppena ha visto i saldi, Maria _________ per comprare tutto.
We use 'partire in quarta' because it describes the sudden start of an action (going to the sales).
Scegli la frase che usa l'idioma correttamente:
'In quarta' is the correct idiomatic form. 'In quattro' means 'four people'.
Situazione: Un collega inizia subito a criticare il tuo lavoro senza nemmeno salutare.
'Partire in quarta' is used when someone starts an interaction with high (often excessive) intensity.
A: 'Come va il nuovo progetto?' B: 'Benissimo, ormai _________ e non ci ferma più nessuno!'
The context of 'not stopping' and 'going well' fits the state of 'essere in quarta'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsTechnically you can, and people will understand, but 'in quarta' is the fixed idiom. 'In quinta' is much less common.
Yes, if the relationship is professional but friendly. It shows enthusiasm. In a very formal corporate board meeting, maybe avoid it.
No, it can apply to anything: sports, cleaning the house, studying, or even talking fast.
'Andare veloce' is literal. 'Essere in quarta' implies energy, productivity, and a state of mind.
No, it can mean starting a project with great enthusiasm. Context determines if it's 'impulsive' or 'energetic'.
Because it refers to 'la quarta marcia' (the fourth gear). In Italian, gears are feminine ordinal numbers.
Yes, literally. 'La macchina è in quarta' means the car is currently in 4th gear.
Yes, 'essere a palla' or 'essere a mille' are very common slang alternatives.
You can say 'ingranare la quarta' or 'mettere la quarta'.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom understood from North to South.
Absolutely. 'Eravamo in quarta' (We were in high gear).
'Partire in sordina' (to start quietly/slowly) or 'partire col piede sbagliato' (to start on the wrong foot).
Related Phrases
A tutta birra
synonymAt full speed
A palla
synonymAt maximum volume/speed
Essere in folle
contrastTo be in neutral
Ingranare la marcia giusta
builds onTo find the right gear/rhythm
Bruciare le tappe
similarTo skip stages / move very fast
