Give an example of an Italian idiom and explain its cultural significance beyond its literal meaning.

An example of an Italian idiom is 'In bocca al lupo', which literally translates to 'In the mouth of the wolf'. However, its actual meaning is 'Good luck'. The expected response is 'Crepi il lupo!', meaning 'May the wolf die!'. This idiom's cultural significance stems from its origins in superstitions and the desire to ward off bad luck. Wolves were historically seen as dangerous predators, and wishing someone 'into the mouth of the wolf' was a way of ironically inviting bad fortune in the hope that the opposite would occur. Saying 'Crepi il lupo!' is therefore a counter-curse, rejecting the initial ill wish. The idiom reflects a cultural awareness of potential dangers and a playful way of dealing with anxiety about the future. It goes beyond a simple expression of good luck; it embodies a cultural understanding of fate and the use of language to influence it.