avere il cuore in gola

/aˈveːre il ˈkwɔːre in ˈɡɔːla/◆idiom
to be extremely anxious

Non riesco a mangiare perché ho il cuore in gola per l'esame di domani.

I can't eat because I'm extremely anxious about tomorrow's exam.

◆ What It Really Means
to be extremely anxious or nervous
Literal Meaning
to have one's heart in one's throat
Literal Breakdown
avereto have+il cuorethe heart+in golain the throat
◇ Mental Image
The idiom evokes the mental image of one's heart rising to the throat due to intense anxiety or fear, creating a sensation of tightness or discomfort.
◈ When to Use
A student waiting for exam results or a performer about to go on stage might say they 'have their heart in their throat' to express overwhelming nervousness.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom is deeply rooted in Italian expressive language, where physical metaphors are commonly used to describe emotional states. It reflects the cultural tendency to associate strong emotions with bodily sensations.
informal

to be extremely anxious or nervous, often to the point of physical discomfort

Quando ha saputo che avrebbe dovuto parlare in pubblico, aveva il cuore in gola.

When he found out he had to speak in public, he was extremely anxious.

Mi batteva il cuore in gola mentre aspettavo il risultato dell'esame.

My heart was in my throat as I waited for the exam results.

The expression emphasizes a strong emotional reaction, often tied to anticipation or fear.

Related Phrases

avere il cuore in manoidiom
to be very generous or open-hearted
avere il cuore pesanteidiom
to feel heavy-hearted or burdened

Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use 'avere il cuore in gola' when describing extreme nervousness or anxiety, especially in situations like exams, public speaking, or waiting for important news.

Gold Rule

Idiomatic vs. Literal

This is a figurative expression. Do not interpret it literally as 'having one's heart in their throat'—it refers to emotional distress, not a physical condition.

Word Origin

The idiom combines 'avere' (to have) with 'il cuore' (the heart) and 'in gola' (in the throat), evoking the physical sensation of anxiety or fear where one's heart seems to rise to the throat.

Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to describe intense nervousness or anxiety. It is often associated with situations of high stress or anticipation.

Word Breakdown

avere
to have
verb
+
il cuore
the heart
noun
+
in gola
in the throat
prepositional phrase
Dizionario Italiano-Inglese