Non mettere troppa carne al fuoco
Lit. Don't put too much meat over the fire
Fig. Don't bite off more than you can chew.
Non e ne carne ne pesce.
Lit. It is neither meat nor fish.
Fig. "neither fish nor fowl"
Non mi importa un cavolo
Lit. It doesn't matter a cabbage
Fig. I don't give a damn
Maria e proprio a la fruta
Lit. Maria is really at the fruit.
Fig. Maria is at her wits end
Sta andando tutto liscio come l'olio
Lit. It is going as smooth like oil.
Fig. It went like clockwork
Non state gli fermo come un baccalà
Lit. Don't just stand there like a dried cod.
Fig. Don't stand there like an idiot.
Il tuo arrivo e stato come il cacio sui maccheroni
Lit. Your arrival has been like cheese on macaroni
Fig. You came just in time
Piero e un pezzo de pane
Lit. Piero is a piece of bread.
Fig. Piero is very kind.
Gianni e un salame
Lit. Gianni is a salami
Fig. Gianni is dull.
Lorenzo e una testa di rapa
Lit. Lorenzo is a head of turnip
Fig. Lorenzo is an idiot
Sono rimasto come un pesce lesso
Lit. I was left there like a boiled fish
Fig. I was left gobsmacked
Che pizza che sei
Lit, What a pizza you are.
Fig. How boring you are.
Quel film e un polpettone
Lit. The film was a meat loaf
Fig. The film is a bit of everything, but nothing in the end.
Vai te farte frigire
Lit. Go and fry yourself.
fig. Get Lost
Hai combinato un bella frittata
Lit. You have made yourself a nice omelette.
Fig You made a big mess
Tutto fa brodo
Lit. Everything makes broth
Fig. Every little helps
Tutto fumo e niente arrosto
Lit. All smoke and no roast
Fig All smoke and no fire
Te lo detto in tutto le salsi
Lit. I have told you all the sauces
Fig. I've told you in every possible way.
Taken from: http://www.learnitalianpod.com/2009/06/14/19-say-it-with-food-upper-intermediate/
