saltare in mente

Italian

Etymology

Literally, “to jump in mind”.

Verb

saltàre in mente (first-person singular present sàlto in mente, first-person singular past historic saltài in mente, past participle saltàto in mente, auxiliary èssere)

1. (intransitive, idiomatic) to pop into (someone's) head; to spring to mind (to) [with a ‘someone’]
   • 1990, Ernest Hemingway, translated by Ettore Capriolo, Fiesta [The Sun Also Rises], Mondadori:

     «Dio santo» disse, «cosa ti è saltato in mente di parlare di quella ragazza di Strasburgo? Non hai notato la faccia di Frances?»

     "For God's sake," he said, "why did you say that about that girl in Strasbourg for? Didn't you see Frances?"

     (literally, “"My god" he said, "what sprung to mind to make you speak about that girl in Strasbourg? Did you not notice Frances' face?"”)