What does “In bocca al lupo” mean?
In bocca al lupo
Word for word
Into the mouth of the wolf
What it really means
Good luck. It is the standard way to wish someone luck in Italy, before an exam, an interview or a performance.
How we say it in English
Break a leg — and, like "break a leg", you never answer with "thank you"
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Prendere due piccioni con una fava
To kill two birds with one stone
Avere una fame da lupi
To be so hungry you could eat a horse
Essere una gatta da pelare
A thankless task — or, closer to the tone, a real headache
Campa cavallo che l'erba cresce
Don't hold your breath
Menare il can per l'aia
To beat around the bush
Prendere un granchio
To bark up the wrong tree — or to get the wrong end of the stick