What it looks like
A comment on the unusual hardness of someone’s facial skin.
What it means
Faccia tosta is the ability to do something you clearly should not do without showing the slightest embarrassment. Above all, without losing confidence. Being caught is not enough: true faccia tosta begins afterwards. You jump the queue, park in front of a driveway, owe someone money for six months — and when they dare point it out, you look at them as if they were the one causing trouble. That is faccia tosta.
How to use it
Use it for behaviour somewhere between audacity, shamelessness and a masterpiece. — Excuse me, I was here first. — Yes, but I’m in a hurry. Che faccia tosta. It can express outrage, disbelief or even a certain admiration. Because some facce toste genuinely require talent.
Key to understanding
The amateur feels ashamed when caught. The professional explains himself. The champion gets offended. And in the end he can even make you wonder: ‘Wait… am I the asshole here?’ No. He is just very good at it.
