in preda a

Literally, “in prey to”.

in preda a

1. in the grip of
   • 2013, F. Scott Fitzgerald, translated by Ferruccio Russo, Il Grande Gatsby [The Great Gatsby], Edizioni Scientifiche e Artistiche, page 115:

     Mi seguì, sconvolto, in cucina, chiuse la porta e sussurrò: «Oh, Dio!» in preda alla disperazione.

     He followed me wildly into the kitchen, closed the door and whispered: "Oh, God!" in a miserable way.

     (literally, “He followed me, distraught, into the kitchen, closed the door and whispered: "Oh, God!" in the grip of desperation.”)

• dipanare, dipanerà, perdiana