Very Informalphrase
rompere le scatole
to be a pain, to annoy, to pester
Literal Translation
"to break the boxes"
Formal Equivalent
importunare, infastidire
Examples in Context
"Smettila di rompere le scatole!"
"Stop being such a pain!"
"I vicini ci rompono le scatole ogni sera con la musica."
"The neighbors drive us crazy every evening with their music."
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Cultural Note
'Scatole' is a well-known euphemism — the vulgar original uses a different word. This softer version is acceptable in most informal situations. 'Rompiscatole' (box-breaker) is the noun form meaning a pest or nuisance.
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