a mezza bocca
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Italian
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Literally, “at half mouth”.
Adverb
[edit]- with reticence or uncertainty; halfheartedly
- Synonym: di malavoglia
- 2020 September 16, Anna Lombardi, “La battaglia per Philadelphia: Trump a caccia degli indecisi [The battle for Philadelphia: Trump hunting for the undecided [voters]]”, in la Repubblica[1]:
- "Col virus è tutto virtuale. Facciamo solo telefonate. Ma garantiamo la presenza sul territorio", dice, disapprovando a mezza bocca la scelta della campagna ufficiale di Biden di chiudere il Quartier Generale davanti a City Hall inaugurato il 6 luglio, per lavorare da remoto.
- "With the virus, it is all virtual. We only make phone calls. But we guarantee a presence on the ground," he says, disapproving halfheartedly of the official Biden campaign's choice to close the Headquarters in front of City Hall inaugurated on July 6, to work remotely.
Usage notes
[edit]- Usually referring to something that is said, asked, responded to, or otherwise verbalized.