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in bocca al lupo a te
/in ˈbokka al ˈluːpo a te/◆idiom
good luck
In bocca al lupo a te per l'esame!
Good luck to you for the exam!
informal
A way to wish someone success or good fortune, especially before a challenging task.
Prima del concerto, gli amici gli hanno detto: “In bocca al lupo a te!”.
Before the concert, his friends said to him, “Good luck to you!”.
Often answered with “crepi il lupo”.
Related Phrases
Word Origin
Originates from theatrical tradition where wishing “good luck” was considered bad luck; the phrase invokes the image of a wolf’s mouth, a dangerous place, implying a challenge to be overcome.
Usage Notes
When someone says this, the customary reply is “crepi il lupo”. It is more common than the literal “good luck”.
Dizionario Italiano-Inglese