FastItalian LearningSign in
PhrasesAgreeing and DisagreeingMettiamola ai voti.
B1

Mettiamola ai voti.

Let's put it to a vote.

Pronunciation

'Voti' — VO-ti. Stress on the first syllable. 'Mettiamola' — met-TIA-mo-la. 'La' refers to 'la questione' (the matter).

When to use it

Use when a group has argued long enough without resolution and a democratic decision is the most efficient way forward. Also used humorously in informal group settings.

What it means

'Mettere ai voti' (to put to votes = to put to a vote) uses the dative 'ai voti' (to the votes). It's the democratic resolution of disagreement. In Italian culture, voting is seen as the fair resolution of stubborn disagreements in groups.

Variations

Decidiamo a maggioranza.

Let's decide by majority.

'A maggioranza' (by majority) — specifies the decision rule. Standard democratic process.

Chi è favorevole alzi la mano.

Those in favour raise their hand.

Procedural — moves directly to the voting action. Used in meetings of all sizes.

Usiamo il voto per risolvere.

Let's use the vote to resolve it.

Explicitly names voting as the resolution mechanism — practical and final

Mini Dialogue

— Non riusciamo a trovare un accordo. — Mettiamola ai voti. Chi è favorevole al piano A? — Tre mani alzate su cinque. — Il piano A passa. Decidiamo a maggioranza.

— We can't find an agreement. — Let's put it to a vote. Who is in favour of plan A? — Three hands raised out of five. — Plan A passes. We decide by majority.

Cultural Note

Italian civic culture has a deep attachment to democratic voting ('il voto') as the ultimate resolution mechanism. From national elections to village committees to family holiday destinations, voting is seen as the fair and final way to resolve disagreement — even if the losers don't immediately accept the result.