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stavano per

were about to

→ stare
phrase Rare #36,287
were about to Followed by an infinitive to describe something that was on the point of happening.
IT: Stavano per andare via quando è iniziato a piovere.
EN: They were about to leave when it started to rain.

Stavano per andare via.

They were about to leave.

— 8½ (1963)

Tom e Mary stavano per andarsene quando è arrivato John.

Tom and Mary were about to leave when John arrived.

Tom e Mary stavano per andarsene quando arrivò John.

Tom and Mary were about to leave when John arrived.

Non sapevate che Tom e Mary stavano per farlo?

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

Stavano per fuggire a Las Vegas.

They were about to elope in Las Vegas.

— Mystic River (2003)

La polizia ha detto che stavano per rilasciare Tom.

The police said they were about to release Tom.