Significado
To fail or fall apart.
Contexto cultural
The phrase is often used with a characteristic hand gesture—a downward spiraling motion with the index finger. Small family businesses (PMI) are the backbone of Italy. When they 'vanno a rotoli', it's seen as a community tragedy. Talk shows often use this phrase to describe the state of the country's politics or economy to create a sense of urgency. In some southern regions, you might hear 'andare a scatafascio' as a more intense, regional alternative.
Use with 'Tutto'
It sounds very natural to start the sentence with 'Tutto' (Everything). 'Tutto è andato a rotoli' is a very common native expression.
Auxiliary Verb
Never use 'avere' with this phrase. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers.
Significado
To fail or fall apart.
Use with 'Tutto'
It sounds very natural to start the sentence with 'Tutto' (Everything). 'Tutto è andato a rotoli' is a very common native expression.
Auxiliary Verb
Never use 'avere' with this phrase. It's the #1 mistake for English speakers.
Drama Level
This phrase is quite dramatic. Use it when you want to express that something is a total mess, not just a minor inconvenience.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'andare a rotoli'.
Se non studiamo per l'esame, tutto il semestre ______.
The future tense is needed here to express a consequence.
Which auxiliary verb is used with 'andare a rotoli' in the past?
Ieri i miei piani ______ andati a rotoli.
'Andare' always takes 'essere' as an auxiliary.
Match the situation to the sentence.
Situation: A company loses all its money and closes.
'Andare a rotoli' is the only one that means failure.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Perché sei così triste?' B: 'Perché il mio matrimonio ______.'
The past tense is most logical here to explain the current sadness.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Success vs Failure
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosSe non studiamo per l'esame, tutto il semestre ______.
The future tense is needed here to express a consequence.
Ieri i miei piani ______ andati a rotoli.
'Andare' always takes 'essere' as an auxiliary.
Situation: A company loses all its money and closes.
'Andare a rotoli' is the only one that means failure.
A: 'Perché sei così triste?' B: 'Perché il mio matrimonio ______.'
The past tense is most logical here to explain the current sadness.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it's not rude. It's informal and expressive, but perfectly fine for most social and professional situations.
Not usually. You wouldn't say 'Lui è andato a rotoli.' You would say 'La sua vita è andata a rotoli.'
'Fallire' is more clinical and formal. 'Andare a rotoli' is more descriptive and implies a messy process.
No, it is always plural: 'rotoli'.
Yes, very often to describe companies going bankrupt or projects failing.
'Tutto sta andando a rotoli' is exactly that—it conveys the same meaning without being vulgar.
No, it is exclusively negative. For a positive version, use 'andare a gonfie vele'.
Yes, 'è andato a rotoli' is very common.
It is used equally throughout the entire country.
Only if you mean the *event* of the meal failed. If the food itself spoiled, use 'andare a male'.
Frases relacionadas
andare in fumo
similarTo vanish into thin air / to fail suddenly.
andare a gonfie vele
contrastTo go very well / to sail with full sails.
andare a picco
similarTo sink / to go under.
andare a farsi benedire
synonymTo go get blessed (ironic).
