Idioms proper are divided into logical and non-logical, whose meaning is immediately (or almost immediately) clear, and those which have to be explained to be understood. Italian has fewer of the non-logical type than English.
In short, you have no call to be so highly idiomatic in Italian as you are in English, in the sense of using idioms of the fixed sort (such as “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”, in Italian “se son rose fioriranno” = if they are roses, they’ll bloom).
Naturally, a few idioms here and there, in the proper context, brighten up the conversation no end…but be sure that it is the proper context.
- Avere le orecchie foderate di prosciutto = to have wax in one’s ears
- Avere gli occhi foderati di prosciutto, avere le fette di salame sugli occhi (to have slices of salami on the eyes) = to bury one’s head in the sand / to go around with one’s eyes shut
These two idioms (1. Who does not hear or does not want to hear; 2. Who does not see something obvious) derive from Italian dialectal forms used in two regions, Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, areas famous for the production of salami, mortadella, zampone (a Christian speciality of Modena), cooked and raw hams.
Do not put a foot wrong, but if you do, it doesn’t matter. The Italians are always with you from the start, as you’re taking the trouble to learn their language.
And now, “In bocca al lupo!” (In the mouth of the wolf, in English “Good luck!”) to @Quincy and “Best prosciutto” to @Kimberly54
Emily