La saggezza della nonna

Nonna wisdom.

Every Italian grandmother has a proverb for every occasion. Here's what they really mean — and the precise moment she'd reach for each one.

In bocca al lupo

Literally into the mouth of the wolf

Good luck! (and you reply «Crepi il lupo» — "may the wolf die")

Literally he who sleeps doesn't catch fish

The early bird catches the worm — if you snooze, you lose.

Literally the neighbour's grass is always greener

We always envy what others have and undervalue our own.

Literally not all doughnuts come out with a hole

Things don't always turn out as planned — and that's alright.

Literally whatever country you go to, you'll find its own custom

When in Rome, do as the Romans do — respect local ways.