Prendere lucciole per lanterne
To mistake fireflies for lanterns
This Italian idiom is used to describe a situation where someone makes a significant mistake by confusing two things that are quite different from each other. The phrase implies a mix-up where someone sees something small, like a firefly, and mistakes it for something much larger and more significant, like a lantern. The origin of this expression likely comes from the visual similarity between the small, glowing light of a firefly and the larger, steady light of a lantern, especially in the dark. It is often used to describe misunderstandings or errors in judgment where someone is deceived by appearances.
Esempi
- Hai davvero preso lucciole per lanterne se pensavi che quel semplice contratto fosse un’opportunità d’affari. – You really mistook fireflies for lanterns if you thought that simple contract was a business opportunity.
- Non prendere lucciole per lanterne: quello che ti hanno detto non è la verità. – Don’t be fooled: what they told you isn’t the truth.
- Pensava di aver trovato un affare, ma ha preso lucciole per lanterne. – He thought he found a bargain, but he was mistaken.