8 espressioni italiane comuni spiegate con esempi

What does “fare le ore piccole” mean in Italian?

Le ore piccole — “the small hours” — are one, two, three in the morning, and to fare le ore piccole is to stay up into them: out late, partying, working, or just not sleeping. The hours feel “small” because the numbers on the clock are low again. It is the Italian way to say you burned the candle to the early morning and rolled home as the city woke.

English shares the image exactly — “the small hours.” A headline cited in the clip: “I calciatori fanno le ore piccole su Call of Duty” — the players are up till all hours gaming. Neighbours in the same family include fare notte (to be out till nightfall/late) and staccare la spina (“to pull the plug,” to switch off and rest).