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Il traditore trama e tira le fila della congiura.

Il traditore trama e tira le fila della congiura.
The traitor schemes and pulls the strings of the conspiracy.
From Lesson 423:Semantic double plurals (-i vs -a)·Italian

Questions & Answers about Il traditore trama e tira le fila della congiura.

Why is it le fila instead of i fili?
This is a classic double plural (nome sovrabbondante). The singular masculine noun il filo (the thread) has two plurals. I fili is used for literal, physical threads or wires. Le fila is a feminine plural used for figurative meanings, like the strings of a conspiracy or the ranks of an organization. Since this is a metaphorical plot, we use le fila.
Does tirare le fila literally translate to pulling the strings?
Yes, exactly like in English, the idiom tirare le fila comes from puppetry. It means to secretly control a situation or scheme behind the scenes.
Is trama related to the word for a movie's plot?
Yes! As a noun, la trama means the plot or storyline of a movie or book (and originally, the weaving of a fabric). Here, however, it is the third-person singular of the verb tramare, which means to plot or to scheme.
What is the difference between congiura and complotto?
Both translate to conspiracy or plot. La congiura usually implies a secret agreement specifically aimed at overthrowing a ruler, government, or someone in power. Il complotto is a slightly broader term for any secret plan to cause harm or do something illegal. In most everyday contexts, they can be used interchangeably.

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