a pezzi

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “to pieces”.

Prepositional phrase

a pezzi

1. to pieces
   1. into fragments

      tagliare a pezzi ― to cut to pieces

   2. into a state of emotional breakdown

      cadere a pezzi ― to fall to pieces

2. (also figurative) in pieces
   • 2013, John Steinbeck, translated by Sergio Claudio Perroni, Furore [The Grapes of Wrath], Bompiani, page 365:

     Ma' disse, dura: "Non te lo puoi permettere di scoraggiarti. Questa famiglia è a pezzi. Non te lo puoi permettere proprio".

     Ma said fiercely, "You ain't got the right to get discouraged. This here fambly's goin' under. You jus' ain't got the right."

     (literally, “Ma' said, harshly: "You cannot allow yourself to get discouraged. This family is in pieces. You can't afford it at all".”)

Anagrams

• pazzie, piazze