cogliere la palla al balzo

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “to catch the ball as it is bouncing”.

Verb

cògliere la palla al balzo (first-person singular present còlgo la palla al balzo, first-person singular past historic còlsi la palla al balzo, past participle còlto la palla al balzo, auxiliary avére)

1. (idiomatic) to take advantage of a situation, which is beneficial but was not planned; to seize and opportunity

   È vero che hanno iniziato loro, ma voi avete colto la palla al balzo e vi siete uniti.

   It's true that they started first, but you joyfully took advantage of the situation and joined.

   Appena la vidi sola colsi la palla al balzo e provai a parlarle.

   As soon as I saw her alone I seized the opportunity and tried to talk to her.