stinco di santo

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “shin of saint”.

Noun

stinco di santo m (plural stinchi di santo)

1. (figurative, humorous) saint, angel
   • 2019, George Orwell, translated by Nicola Gardini, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Mondadori:

     Ma ce n’è un sacco che vorrebbero, se solo avessero una mezza possibilità. Non sono gli stinchi di santo che dicono di essere.

     But there’s plenty that WOULD if they got half a chance. They’re not so holy as they make out.

     (literally, “But there are a bunch who would like to, if only they had a half possibility. They are not the saints they say they are.”)