Significado
To forgive or cancel past errors or debts.
Contexto cultural
The term is frequently used in political satire and journalism to criticize 'amnistie' (amnesties). It suggests that the government is washing away the sins of the powerful. The phrase evokes the nostalgia of the 'vecchia scuola' (old school) where the chalkboard was the center of the universe. Every Italian adult remembers the sound of the wet sponge on the slate. The concept of 'assoluzione' (absolution) in the Catholic Church is a spiritual 'colpo di spugna'. This religious background makes the idea of a total reset very familiar to Italians. In Italy, 'condoni fiscali' are common. These are periods where you can pay a small fraction of your tax debt to have the rest cancelled—a literal financial colpo di spugna.
Use with 'Passato'
The most natural pairing for this phrase is 'al passato'. If you're unsure how to use it, start with 'Diamo un colpo di spugna al passato'.
Don't 'Throw' the Sponge
Remember that 'Gettare la spugna' (to throw the sponge) means giving up, while 'Dare un colpo di spugna' means erasing. Don't mix them up in a crisis!
Significado
To forgive or cancel past errors or debts.
Use with 'Passato'
The most natural pairing for this phrase is 'al passato'. If you're unsure how to use it, start with 'Diamo un colpo di spugna al passato'.
Don't 'Throw' the Sponge
Remember that 'Gettare la spugna' (to throw the sponge) means giving up, while 'Dare un colpo di spugna' means erasing. Don't mix them up in a crisis!
Journalistic Tone
When you read this in a newspaper, look for the tone. If the journalist is talking about a law, they are likely being sarcastic or critical.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct verb and preposition.
Se vogliamo restare amici, dobbiamo ______ un colpo di spugna ______ passato.
The standard idiom is 'dare un colpo di spugna a' (to give a stroke of the sponge to).
In which situation is 'colpo di spugna' used with a NEGATIVE connotation?
Quale di queste frasi ha una connotazione negativa?
In politics, it often implies that justice is being avoided or 'wiped away' unfairly.
Match the Italian idiom with its English equivalent.
Abbina le espressioni:
All these are related, but 'colpo di spugna' specifically matches 'wipe the slate clean'.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: 'Mi senti ancora offeso per quello che ho detto?' B: 'No, tranquillo. ______.'
The speaker is saying they have forgiven and forgotten the offense.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosSe vogliamo restare amici, dobbiamo ______ un colpo di spugna ______ passato.
The standard idiom is 'dare un colpo di spugna a' (to give a stroke of the sponge to).
Quale di queste frasi ha una connotazione negativa?
In politics, it often implies that justice is being avoided or 'wiped away' unfairly.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
All these are related, but 'colpo di spugna' specifically matches 'wipe the slate clean'.
A: 'Mi senti ancora offeso per quello che ho detto?' B: 'No, tranquillo. ______.'
The speaker is saying they have forgiven and forgotten the offense.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
14 perguntasIt depends on the context. In relationships, it's usually positive (forgiveness). In politics, it's often negative (impunity).
You can, but it sounds a bit dramatic. Just say 'passare la spugna' for literal cleaning.
'Voltare pagina' is about moving forward; 'colpo di spugna' is about erasing what's behind.
It's neutral. You can use it with friends, but you'll also see it in serious political editorials.
No, that's not a standard idiom, although 'passare la gomma' (to use an eraser) is used in Portuguese.
Yes, very. Especially when people want to end an argument quickly.
Not necessarily. It can be used for massive debts or major political scandals.
Yes, if you're talking about learning from a past failure and wanting a fresh start.
Use 'dare' (to give) or 'passare' (to pass).
Not really. You wouldn't say 'due colpi di spugna'. It's a singular concept.
No, it's very modern and frequently used in current news.
Yes, it's one of the most common uses (cancellare un debito).
Amnistia is the legal term; colpo di spugna is the idiomatic/journalistic way to describe it.
This is exactly the phrase you need: 'dare un colpo di spugna'.
Frases relacionadas
Mettere una pietra sopra
synonymTo bury the hatchet / put something behind you.
Voltare pagina
similarTo turn the page / start a new chapter.
Ripartire da zero
builds onTo start from scratch.
Fare tabula rasa
specialized formTo make a clean sweep / clear everything out.
