Meaning: If someone is swimming with the fishes, they are dead, especially if they have been murdered. ‘Sleep with the fishes’ is an alternative form.
Where did the phrase swimming with the fishes come from?
The idiom sleep with the fishes was popularized in the 1970s in Mario Puzo’s novel and movie, The Godfather: “It’s a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.” The expression sleep with the fishes may go back much farther. Edmund Spencer used the phrase in the 1830s.
Who said Luca Brasi swims with the fishes?
This famous line is spoken by Peter Clemenza, played by Richard Castellano, in The Godfather (directed by Francis Ford Coppola, 1972). When the Corleone family can’t get a hold of Luca Brasi, they wonder what happened to him and where he is.
Who swam with the fishes in the Godfather?
“swimming with the fishes”>>>comes from the book..and subsequent movie “the Godfather”it describes the demise of one “luca brazzi’ who was captured and later on his coat with a fish wrapped inside it was sent to back to his employer (Don Corleone) that his henchman was dead.
What does the phrase swimming with the fishes mean? – Related Questions
What is the famous line from The Godfather?
1. “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” This famous phrase was actually spoken more than once.1 day ago
What does the fish mean in The Godfather?
Sal Tessio, The Godfather. Sleeping with the fishes is a reference to an old Sicilian message. Fish are wrapped in an article of clothing belonging to a person who has been hit, whacked, or otherwise killed, and it is then wrapped in newspaper and delivered to the Capos.
Was Luca Brasi a real gangster?
A real mob enforcer played the role of Luca Brasi:
During meetings with the Italian-American Civil Rights League, who were monitoring the portrayal of the mafia in the film, Coppola met Montana, who was working as a bodyguard for the Colombo crime family.
Who killed Luca Brasi in The Godfather?
Sollozzo, after promising friendship, a job, and $50,000, then rams a knife into Luca’s hand, pinning it to the bar as an assassin garrottes him from behind. With Brasi dead, Sollozzo’s men were free to attempt a hit on Don Corleone without fear of Luca hunting them down later.
Is Luca Brasi a demon?
The midwife, who describes Brasi as an unholy demon, went to Don Corleone for protection, and he covered up Brasi’s crime. With this, the Don earned Brasi’s undying service and loyalty.
Who was hanging from the bridge in Godfather 3?
Accordingly, Vincent’s dispatched assassins penetrated Keinszig’s house and smothered him with a pillow as he lay on a bed. His corpse was subsequently hung from a bridge, in full view of the public.
Did Fredo betray his father?
After telling Michael that he has never met Ola, Fredo later carelessly tells Geary that he had been to a nightclub with Ola. Michael overhears the conversation and realizes that Fredo is the traitor within the family.
Who ordered the hit on Michael Corleone?
Michael says he’ll visit Pentangeli, and Roth gives his support when Michael says Pentangeli is a “dead man.” When Michael visits Pentangeli in New York Michael says he knows Roth was the one who ordered the hit. He asks Pentangeli to help him take revenge.
Why is Tom Hagen not in The Godfather 3?
Hagen was originally intended to have been featured in The Godfather Part III, but was written out due to a salary dispute between Duvall and the film’s producers. Coppola stated in the film’s commentary that Duvall demanded the same salary as Al Pacino (who portrayed Michael Corleone).
Who kills Tom Hagen?
In The Godfather’s Revenge, Tom Hagen is murdered by Nick Geraci in 1964. However, the supplements disc of the Blu-ray states that Tom Hagen died somewhere in the 1970s.
Why did Michael dismiss Tom Hagen?
He didn’t. To say that Michael removed Tom as consigliere is to suggest that Tom was consigliere after Vito stepped down, which he wasn’t. An incoming don doesn’t inherit the last don’s consigliere. He could choose the same man, which is what Sonny did when he suddenly found himself serving as acting-don.
Why did Michael Corleone kiss Fredo on the lips?
In two key moments of Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather 2 (1974), Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) kisses his brother Fredo (John Cazale) as a kind of “ocular proof” of his unspoken decision to murder him.
Why was Fredo a traitor?
Fred was considered a traitor among the other Commanders as he agreed to reveal the inside information about the state in exchange for immunity. Therefore, it was hard for Serena to convince the Gileadean government to give him an outstanding funeral.
What is a death kiss?
Noun. kiss of death (plural kisses of death) A kiss on the cheek that signifies the death of the receiver, as delivered by a mob boss or one with such influence.
Why does The Godfather touch his face?
His fingers are pushed against his head—he is trying to wrap his brain around his decision. By executing his plan, he not only will be initiated into the business, but also will finally be able to feel like a part of the Corleone family by embodying the role of his father.
What illness does Michael Corleone have?
Zasa later wiped out most the Commission, yet Michael and his old friend Don Altobello escaped. Michael had a diabetic stroke, and whilst incapacitated, Connie gave Vincent and Al Neri the go-ahead to kill Zasa.