La frase idiomatica cercare un ago in un pagliaio è una metafora di origine rurale che figura spesso anche in altre lingue contemporanee. L’espressione allude allo svolgimento di un compito molto difficile. Solitamente si tratta di una ricerca che richiede notevole impegno e il cui successo si preannuncia poco probabile.
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
Chi non risica non rosica
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
From scratch, completely, entirely
Di sana pianta
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To guide, to show someone around
Essere Cicerone o fare da Cicerone
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To give/have carte blanche
Dare/Avere carta bianca
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To stay up late, till the wee hours
Fare le ore piccole
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
The order of the day, common occurrence, on the agenda
All’ordine del giorno
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To give somebody a hand
Dare una mano
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To seize the day/opportunity
Cogliere l’occasione al volo
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To sit around and do nothing
Starsene con le mani in mano
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To have a long way to go
Essere in alto mar
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To make do with something
Consolarsi con l’aglietto
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To look for a needle in a haystack
Cercare un ago in un pagliaio
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To plagiarize, to not be your own work
Non essere farina del proprio sacco
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To be(come) a champion, expert, star
Essere/Diventare un asso
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To reinvent the wheel, to state the obvious
Scoprire l’acqua calda
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To be on a war path
Scendere/essere sul piede di guerra
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To get serious, to mean business
Prendere qualcosa/qualcuno sul serio
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To unplug
Staccare la spina
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To take the bull by the horns
Prendere il toro per le corna
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To struggle with something
Essere alle prese con
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To give it your all, to do your best
Mettercela tutta
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To have a sleepless night, to pull an all-nighter
Passare la notte in bianco
![](https://nsc.newsinslow.com/images/news/expressions/nsi/topic/category-6.jpg)
To raise hell, bend over backwards, do everything you can
Fare il diavolo a quattro