Significado
to prevent someone from succeeding
Contexto cultural
In Italian politics, this phrase is used almost daily in talk shows and newspapers to describe 'ostruzionismo parlamentare' (parliamentary obstructionism). Italians value 'bella figura' (making a good impression). Sabotaging someone else's 'bella figura' is a common context for this idiom. In Southern Italy, the phrase might be accompanied by a specific gesture: moving the hand as if shoving something into a wheel. The phrase dates back to the era of horse-drawn carriages and is found in Italian literature as far back as the 18th century.
Use with Pronouns
It sounds much more natural to say 'Mi mette i bastoni...' than 'Mette i bastoni a me'.
Don't use for accidents
If you trip someone by accident, don't use this phrase. It implies you did it on purpose.
Significado
to prevent someone from succeeding
Use with Pronouns
It sounds much more natural to say 'Mi mette i bastoni...' than 'Mette i bastoni a me'.
Don't use for accidents
If you trip someone by accident, don't use this phrase. It implies you did it on purpose.
Political Context
If you're reading an Italian newspaper, look for this phrase in the politics section. It's the standard way to describe opposition.
Teste-se
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Marco è geloso e mi ______ i bastoni tra le ruote ogni volta che può.
The verb used in this idiom is always 'mettere'.
Which situation best fits the idiom?
Quale situazione descrive 'mettere i bastoni tra le ruote'?
This is a deliberate act of sabotage to prevent someone from succeeding.
Match the Italian sentence with its English meaning.
Match the pairs:
These are standard translations of the idiom in different contexts.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'Perché il progetto è fermo?' B: 'Perché il sindacato sta ______.'
The gerund 'mettendo' is needed to describe an ongoing action.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosMarco è geloso e mi ______ i bastoni tra le ruote ogni volta che può.
The verb used in this idiom is always 'mettere'.
Quale situazione descrive 'mettere i bastoni tra le ruote'?
This is a deliberate act of sabotage to prevent someone from succeeding.
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
These are standard translations of the idiom in different contexts.
A: 'Perché il progetto è fermo?' B: 'Perché il sindacato sta ______.'
The gerund 'mettendo' is needed to describe an ongoing action.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, it's not rude, but it is an accusation. Use it when you are genuinely frustrated by someone's interference.
Technically yes ('mi metto i bastoni tra le ruote da solo'), but 'darsi la zappa sui piedi' is more common for self-sabotage.
It's very rare. The idiom is fixed in the plural form.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom used from Milan to Sicily.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'dare una mano' (to give a hand) or 'facilitare la strada' are good antonyms.
It's better to use 'creare ostacoli' or 'impedire il progresso' in very formal emails.
Usually, yes. It implies that the person is doing it intentionally to stop you.
No, it is always 'le ruote'.
Very! Especially in comedies where there is a villain or a rival.
You can say 'Smettila di mettermi i bastoni tra le ruote!'.
Frases relacionadas
rompere le uova nel paniere
similarto spoil someone's plans (literally: to break the eggs in the basket)
darsi la zappa sui piedi
contrastto shoot oneself in the foot
tagliare le gambe
similarto cut someone's legs (to take the wind out of their sails)
mettere i piedi in testa
contrastto walk all over someone
