Meaning
To fail to achieve the intended result.
Cultural Background
The phrase is deeply tied to the concept of 'fare bella figura'. Failing publicly is a major social faux pas. Sports newspapers like 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' frequently use this to describe players who miss easy opportunities. In classic Italian comedy (Commedia all'italiana), 'fare cilecca' is a recurring trope for the 'average Joe' (Fantozzi style) who fails at everything. Young Italians use it for app crashes or failed startup pitches, blending traditional idioms with modern life.
Use it for machines
It's the most natural way to describe a car or appliance that won't start.
The 'Double Entendre'
Be careful using this with men you don't know well, as it can be taken as a joke about their virility.
Meaning
To fail to achieve the intended result.
Use it for machines
It's the most natural way to describe a car or appliance that won't start.
The 'Double Entendre'
Be careful using this with men you don't know well, as it can be taken as a joke about their virility.
Sports Talk
If you want to sound like a real Italian football fan, use this when a striker misses a goal.
Irony is key
Italians often use this phrase with a bit of a shrug and a smile to downplay a failure.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'fare cilecca'.
Ieri sera volevo cucinare una cena romantica, ma la ricetta ______.
We use the past tense 'ha fatto' with the auxiliary 'avere' and no article.
In which situation is 'fare cilecca' MOST appropriate?
Choose the best context:
This represents a mechanical failure where an action is taken but the result fails.
Fill in the missing line.
A: Hai visto la partita? B: Sì, il nostro attaccante migliore ______ proprio al novantesimo minuto!
The singular 'cilecca' is used for a specific event in the past.
Match the sentence to the meaning of 'fare cilecca'.
1. Il motore fa cilecca. 2. La sua scusa ha fatto cilecca. 3. Il piano ha fatto cilecca.
1 is mechanical, 2 is a social interaction (excuse), 3 is a general project/plan.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIeri sera volevo cucinare una cena romantica, ma la ricetta ______.
We use the past tense 'ha fatto' with the auxiliary 'avere' and no article.
Choose the best context:
This represents a mechanical failure where an action is taken but the result fails.
A: Hai visto la partita? B: Sì, il nostro attaccante migliore ______ proprio al novantesimo minuto!
The singular 'cilecca' is used for a specific event in the past.
1. Il motore fa cilecca. 2. La sua scusa ha fatto cilecca. 3. Il piano ha fatto cilecca.
1 is mechanical, 2 is a social interaction (excuse), 3 is a general project/plan.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot inherently, but it has a vulgar application (sexual). In 90% of contexts, it's just informal.
Yes, but it implies you were expected to pass and something went wrong at the last minute.
In this idiom, it is always singular: 'hanno fatto cilecca'.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized from North to South.
No, the article 'una' is not used in this fixed expression.
Originally yes, but now it's almost exclusively used figuratively.
'Fallire' is more serious and formal; 'fare cilecca' is more about a 'misfire' or a 'dud' moment.
Not really. It's more about performance or function than emotions.
Yes, 'fare fiasco' or 'non decollare' (not taking off).
Il piano ha fatto cilecca.
Related Phrases
andare in bianco
synonymTo fail to score (especially in dating).
fare fiasco
similarTo be a total failure/flop.
fare un buco nell'acqua
similarTo make a hole in the water (useless effort).
incepparsi
specialized formTo jam (like a gun or a printer).
