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Fa un tempo da lupi

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression

neutral/informal

How it works

This idiomatic expression literally translates to "It makes a weather of wolves." It is used to describe extremely bad weather, often cold, rainy, or stormy. 'Fa' is the third-person singular of the verb 'fare' (to make/do) used impersonally for weather, 'un tempo' means 'a time/weather', and 'da lupi' functions as an adjective meaning 'suitable for wolves' or 'of wolves', implying harsh conditions.

Sample sentences

Non possiamo uscire, fa un tempo da lupi oggi.

We can't go out, it's terrible weather today.

Quando fa un tempo da lupi, preferisco restare a casa a leggere un libro.

When it's wolf weather, I prefer to stay home and read a book.

Dopo aver camminato per ore con un tempo da lupi, eravamo zuppi.

After walking for hours in terrible weather, we were drenched.

Quick facts

idiomaticUsage:The phrase 'da lupi' is a common idiomatic intensifier in Italian, often paired with 'fare' and nouns like 'freddo' (cold), 'caldo' (heat), or 'fame' (hunger) to mean 'extreme' or 'terrible'.

impersonalVerb:The verb 'fare' is frequently used impersonally for weather conditions in Italian (e.g., 'Fa freddo' - It's cold).

Often used with

Fa un freddo da lupi

Fa un buio da lupi

Fa un caldo da lupi

Mnemonic

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Example

Non possiamo uscire, fa un tempo da lupi oggi.

We can't go out, it's terrible weather today.

Quando fa un tempo da lupi, preferisco restare a casa a leggere un libro.

When it's wolf weather, I prefer to stay home and read a book.