Chi dorme non piglia pesci
Literally: He who sleeps doesn't catch fish
What it really means
The early bird catches the worm — if you snooze, you lose.
When nonna would say it
Deployed to chivvy along anyone lounging in bed, dawdling over a decision, or missing an opportunity through sheer idleness.
Picture this
It's ten in the morning and you're still in pyjamas. Nonna pulls open the shutters, lets the sun blast in, and announces to no one in particular: «Eh, chi dorme non piglia pesci…»