avere la luna storta
Oggi Marco ha la luna storta, non vuole parlare con nessuno.
Today Marco is in a bad mood; he doesn’t want to talk to anyone.
to be in a bad mood or irritable without a clear reason
Da quando ha perso il lavoro, ha sempre la luna storta.
Ever since he lost his job, he’s always in a bad mood.
Non prendertela, è solo che ha la luna storta oggi.
Don’t take it personally; he’s just in a bad mood today.
Often used to describe someone who is unusually grumpy or unfriendly for no apparent reason.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use
Use this phrase when someone is unusually grumpy or unfriendly without an obvious reason. It’s less harsh than directly saying someone is 'irritable' and adds a playful or sympathetic tone.
Gold Rule
Avoid literal interpretation
This is an idiom—never interpret it as referring to the moon's physical state. It’s always about mood.
Word Origin
The phrase dates back to medieval astrology, where the moon's phases were believed to influence human moods. 'Luna storta' (literally 'crooked moon') metaphorically refers to an imbalance or negative influence.
Usage Notes
Common in everyday speech, especially among friends or family. Often used humorously or affectionately to describe someone who is temporarily grumpy.