Yap.Town

stavano per

were about to

→ stare
phrase Rare #34,270
were about to Used with an infinitive to describe an action that was imminent or just about to happen. “Stavano” is the third-person plural imperfect form of “stare.”
IT: Stavano per andare via quando è arrivato John.
EN: They were about to leave when John arrived.

La polizia ha detto che stavano per rilasciare Tom.

The police said they were about to release Tom.

Tom e Mary stavano per andarsene quando è arrivato John.

Tom and Mary were about to leave when John arrived.

Stavano per fuggire a Las Vegas.

They were about to elope in Las Vegas.

— Mystic River (2003)

Tom e Mary stavano per andarsene quando arrivò John.

Tom and Mary were about to leave when John arrived.

Stavano per andare via.

They were about to leave.

— 8½ (1963)

Non sapevate che Tom e Mary stavano per farlo?

Didn't you know that Tom and Mary were about to do it?