in barba a

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “in beard of”.

Prepositional phrase

in barba a

1. (idiomatic) in spite of

   Synonyms: a dispetto di, nonostante, malgrado

   • 2019, George Orwell, translated by Nicola Gardini, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Mondadori:

     In barba alla Polizia del Pensiero? Alla morte del Grande Fratello? All'umanità? Al futuro?

     To the confusion of the Thought Police? To the death of Big Brother? To humanity? To the future?

     (literally, “In spite of the Thought Police? To the death of Big Brother? To humanity? To the future?”)