Meaning
Taking all that is available.
Cultural Background
You will see this phrase almost every Monday in 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' or 'Corriere dello Sport' to describe a team that dominated the weekend. At 'Sagre' (local food festivals), the phrase is used to describe the speed at which popular dishes like 'porchetta' or 'frittelle' disappear. During the 'David di Donatello' (Italian Oscars), critics use this to highlight a film that swept the technical and artistic categories. The 'Saldi' (winter and summer sales) are a national event in Italy. 'Fare man bassa' describes the frantic shopping behavior on the first day.
The 'Man' Rule
Always remember it's 'man', not 'mano'. It's a fossilized form that never changes.
Greed vs. Success
Be careful; calling someone out for 'fare man bassa' at a dinner can sound like you're calling them greedy.
Meaning
Taking all that is available.
The 'Man' Rule
Always remember it's 'man', not 'mano'. It's a fossilized form that never changes.
Greed vs. Success
Be careful; calling someone out for 'fare man bassa' at a dinner can sound like you're calling them greedy.
Journalistic Flair
Use this in your Italian writing assignments to sound more like a native journalist.
Buffet Etiquette
In Italy, 'fare man bassa' at a buffet is generally frowned upon, but expected at the 'aperitivo' hour.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Al buffet del matrimonio, gli ospiti hanno ______ ______ ______ di dolci.
The correct form uses 'fatto' and the shortened 'man'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
The idiom requires the preposition 'di' (which becomes 'dei' with the article).
Match the situation to the sentence.
Situation: A singer wins 5 Grammys.
'Fare man bassa' is the standard way to describe winning all awards.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Sono rimaste delle magliette in saldo?' B: 'No, i primi clienti ______.'
The phrase is fixed in the singular 'man bassa'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Idiom vs Literal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAl buffet del matrimonio, gli ospiti hanno ______ ______ ______ di dolci.
The correct form uses 'fatto' and the shortened 'man'.
Choose the correct option:
The idiom requires the preposition 'di' (which becomes 'dei' with the article).
Situation: A singer wins 5 Grammys.
'Fare man bassa' is the standard way to describe winning all awards.
A: 'Sono rimaste delle magliette in saldo?' B: 'No, i primi clienti ______.'
The phrase is fixed in the singular 'man bassa'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's neutral to informal. You can use it with friends or in a newspaper, but maybe not in a legal contract.
No, the phrase is fixed. You would say 'Loro hanno fatto man bassa'.
'Fare man bassa' emphasizes taking/winning, while 'fare piazza pulita' emphasizes the fact that nothing is left.
Not at all! In sports or awards, it's a huge compliment to the winner.
Yes! You can 'fare man bassa' of followers, likes, or digital downloads.
It is always two separate words: 'man bassa'.
It's an old linguistic survival called apocope, common in many ancient Italian idioms.
Rarely. You wouldn't 'fare man bassa' of people unless you are 'scooping up' talent for a company.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom recognized from North to South.
Usually 'di'. Example: 'fare man bassa di voti'.
Related Phrases
fare piazza pulita
synonymTo clear everything out
fare incetta
similarTo hoard or buy up
sbancare
specialized formTo break the bank
fare il pieno
similarTo fill up
prendere tutto
synonymTo take everything
