in gamba

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “on legs”, as opposed to be sick in bed.

Pronunciation

• Audio

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Adjective

in gamba (invariable)

1. healthy
2. (by extension) showing initiative, industriousness, or vigor; on the ball
   • 1946, Ernest Hemingway, translated by Giuseppe Trevisani, Fiesta [The Sun Also Rises], Einaudi:

     Era tanto in gamba che Spider Kelly prestissimo lo mise fuori combattimento e gli ammaccò irrimediabilmente il naso.

     He was so good that Spider promptly overmatched him and got his nose permanently flattened.

     (literally, “He was so on the ball that Spider Kelly knocked him out really quickly and irremediably bruised his nose.”)

Interjection

in gamba

1. keep well!

Anagrams

• gambina