ingoiare il rospo
Non aveva voglia di chiedere scusa, ma alla fine ha ingoiato il rospo per non litigare.
He didn’t want to apologize, but in the end he swallowed his pride to avoid a fight.
to accept something unpleasant or humiliating without protest, often to avoid conflict or for a greater benefit
Dopo mesi di discussioni, ha deciso di ingoiare il rospo e accettare il compromesso proposto dal capo.
After months of arguments, he decided to swallow his pride and accept the compromise proposed by his boss.
Often used in personal or professional contexts where someone must endure a difficult situation to maintain harmony or achieve a goal.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Avoid literal translations
Do not translate 'rospo' as 'toad' in this context. The idiom's meaning is purely figurative, referring to swallowing something unpleasant (one's pride or a difficult situation).
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use this idiom when someone accepts a humiliating or uncomfortable situation to avoid conflict or for a practical reason, not for trivial matters.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'ingoiare' (to swallow) and 'rospo' (toad). The toad symbolizes something distasteful or difficult to accept, reflecting the unpleasantness of the action. The idiom dates back to at least the 19th century in Italian literature.
Usage Notes
This idiom is commonly used in both spoken and written Italian, especially in informal or conversational contexts. It implies a sense of resignation rather than active agreement.