fare una cosa alla volta

/ˈfa.re ˈu.na ˈkɔ.za alˈla ˈvɔl.ta/◆idiom

take things one at a time

Non riesco a finire il progetto: devo fare una cosa alla volta.

I can't finish the project: I need to take things one at a time.

◆ What It Really Means

The psychological and social meaning is to prioritize focus and patience over speed or quantity, reducing stress and improving outcomes.

¶ Literal Meaning

To literally perform one thing at a time.

Literal Breakdown

fareto do+una cosaone thing+alla voltaat the time

◇ Mental Image

Imagine a person walking up a staircase step by step, rather than trying to climb multiple steps at once and risking a fall.

◈ When to Use

At a busy office, a colleague is juggling five tasks at once. You say, 'Fai una cosa alla volta, così non sbagli!' (Take things one at a time so you don’t make mistakes!).

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects Italy’s cultural emphasis on 'dolce far niente' (the sweetness of doing nothing) and the value placed on enjoying the process rather than rushing to finish. It’s a common saying in both personal and professional settings.

informal

To focus on completing one task at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed or making mistakes.

Se vuoi studiare bene, fai una cosa alla volta.

If you want to study well, take things one at a time.

Non cercare di risolvere tutto insieme, fallo una cosa alla volta.

Don't try to solve everything at once—do it one thing at a time.

Commonly used to advise against multitasking in everyday contexts.

Collocations

fare una cosa alla voltatake things one at a timeuna cosa alla voltaone thing at a time

Synonyms

procedere con calma non avere fretta concentrarsi su un compito

Antonyms

fare tutto insieme multitasking affrettarsi

Related Phrases

una cosa alla voltaphrase

one thing at a time

prendere la vita con calmaidiom

take life at a leisurely pace

Pro Tip

When to use this idiom

Use 'fare una cosa alla volta' when advising someone to focus on completing tasks sequentially to avoid stress or errors. It’s a gentle reminder to prioritize quality over speed.

Gold Rule

Avoiding multitasking

This idiom reinforces the idea that multitasking can lead to mistakes or incomplete work. It’s a cultural preference for methodical progress in Italy.

Word Origin

The phrase combines the verb 'fare' (to do/make) with 'una cosa' (one thing) and 'alla volta' (at a time). It reflects a pragmatic approach to task management, emphasizing sequential rather than parallel execution.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in advice-giving contexts, such as studying, working, or managing daily chores. It implies patience and efficiency.

Word Breakdown

fare

to do/make

verb

una cosa

one thing

noun phrase

alla volta

at a time

prepositional phrase

Dizionario Italiano-Inglese

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