Literal translation
did you burst open the wardrobe?
Meaning
to be dressed to the nines
Explanation
The verb peta means to burst, to pop, to explode suddenly or break violently, while armàri means wardrobe, the piece of furniture where clothes are kept. As peta l'armàri thus literally, and absurdly, asks whether one has blown up one's wardrobe to get dressed, a question that obviously makes no literal sense but earns its comic effect through this exaggerated image. The real meaning targets someone dressed exceptionally well, dressed to the nines, as if they had emptied their entire wardrobe at once, or brought out their finest piece, kept for a special occasion. The question is asked, often with a smile, to someone who suddenly appears very elegant, in sharp contrast to their usual look, to underline this visible and somewhat unusual effort. The register is familiar and teasing, used among friends to comment good-humoredly on noticeably elegant dress.