![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To fall from the frying pan into the fire
Cadere dalla padella alla brace
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To shut down, to close down
Chiudere i battenti
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To do things carelessly
Fare le cose alla carlona
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To make a bad impression, a poor showing
Fare la figura del cioccolataio
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
A tough nut to track, a difficult task
Fare uno strappo alla regola
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To make a poor showing, make a fool out of yourself, a bad impression
Fare brutta figura/Fare una figuraccia
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To have a long way to go
Essere in alto mar
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To throw in the towel/spunge
Gettare la spugna
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To be in trouble, screwed
Essere fritti
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
The damage is done
Fare una frittata
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To freak out, to be lost
Essere/andare nel pallone
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To lose your bearings/your way, to lose control, to lose the plot
Perdere la tramontana
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To be on a war path
Scendere/essere sul piede di guerra
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
A tough nut to crack, a difficult task
Gatta da pelare
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To beat the air/wind, the make a futile effort
(Fare) un buco nell’acqua
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To throw your hands up in despair
Mettersi le mani nei capelli
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To not know which way to turn, to be at your wits’ end
Non sapere che pesci pigliare
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To put a spoke in someone’s wheels
Mettere i bastoni fra le ruote
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To clutch at straws
Arrampicarsi sugli specchi
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To be in deep water
Essere/trovarsi in cattive acque
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
By the skin of your teeth
Per un pelo
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To have a sleepless night, to pull an all-nighter
Passare la notte in bianco
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To not know which way to turn, to be at your wits’ end
Non sapere che pesci prendere/pigliare
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To be hopeless
Essere una frana
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To be a hot potato
Essere una patata bollente
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To resign yourself
Mettersi il cuore in pace
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To fly off the handle, to lose it
Uscire dai gangheri
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To be in deep water, to be under the gun
Essere/avere/trovarsi con l’acqua alla gola
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-25.jpg)
To get off on the wrong foot
Partire col piede sbagliato
Fare brutta figura/Fare una figuraccia
Una brutta figura o figuraccia è un’azione che appare inadatta o fuori luogo, un comportamento che genera giudizi negativi a livello sociale e che ha spesso una dimensione ridicola, scomoda e imbarazzante.