fare una cosa alla volta

/ˈfa.re ˈu.na ˈkɔ.za alˈla ˈvɔl.ta/
phrase★Intermediate— take things one at a time◆idiom
◆ 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.

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