B2 — Upper Intermediate👁️ Body Parts
Avere la bocca asciutta
To be left empty-handed
Literal Translation
"To have a dry mouth"
What it means
To be left empty-handed. Describes the disappointment of not getting what one expected. The image is of salivating in anticipation but receiving nothing.
Example in context
"Pensava di ottenere la promozione, ma è rimasto con la bocca asciutta."
"He thought he would get the promotion, but was left empty-handed."
Want to practice Italian?
Take a free placement test and start with grammar exercises.