Italian Idiomatic Expressions: Fits You Like a Paintbrush

I love Italian idiomatic expressions – those sayings you just can’t translate directly but which make the Italian language the colorful and charming language it is.

Today’s saying is perfect for the fashion-minded Italians, who always manage to look fantastic:

Ti sta a pennello.

If you overhear someone in an Italian clothing shop saying this, you’ll want to know that it’s supposed to mean, “It fits you perfectly.” But what you’ll also want to know is that the literal translation is, “It fits you like a paintbrush.” I can only assume this is the Italian version of “painted on” clothing, although where I come from that’s not usually a compliment.

I’ll keep sharing Italian idiomatic expressions with you periodically; and if you’ve got a favorite saying, let me know!

If you like this one, check out some of the other Italian idiomatic expressions I’ve posted about, too.