perdersi d'animo

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “to lose [of] one's soul”.

Verb

pèrdersi d'animo (first-person singular present mi pèrdo d'animo, first-person singular past historic mi pèrsi d'animo or mi perdétti d'animo or (traditional) mi perdètti d'animo or (less common) mi perdéi d'animo, past participle pèrso d'animo or perdùto d'animo)

1. to lose heart

   Synonyms: scoraggiarsi, abbattersi; see also Thesaurus:abbattere

   • 2020, Barack Obama, translated by Chicca Galli, Paolo Lucca, and Giuseppe Maugeri, Una terra promessa [A Promised Land], Garzanti Libri:

     Ma lui non si era perso d'animo. Alle superiori aveva organizzato un ballo allo scopo di raccogliere fondi per i candidati democratici.

     Paul was undeterred. In high school, he organized a dance to raise money for Democratic candidates.

     (literally, “But he did not lose heart. In high school he had organized a dance with the goal of raising funds for Democratic candidates.”)