500 Common

Korean Idioms

500 Common Korean Idioms is a useful learner’s tool that presents the 500 most commonly
used Korean idioms in a clear and easy-to-follow manner.
Structured with practicality in mind, the book presents:

• idioms with their literal and natural translations;

• usage notes describing the meaning, typical use, and any related cultural topic;
• several example sentences providing context and showing appropriate use of each idiom;
• important vocabulary and expressions highlighted in each chapter for review;
• an MP3 file for each idiom (online).

Suitable for intermediate to advanced learners of Korean, 500 Common Korean Idioms
provides a step-by-step approach to gaining greater fluency through a grasp of the most
common idioms in the language.

Danielle O. Pyun is Associate Professor of Korean at the Ohio State University, USA.
500 Common
Korean Idioms
Danielle O. Pyun
First published 2018
by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
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Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2018 Danielle O. Pyun
The right of Danielle O. Pyun to be identified as author of this work has been
asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
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Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered
trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to
infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Pyun, Danielle Ooyoung, author.
Title: 500 common Korean idioms / Danielle O. Pyun.
Other titles: Five hundred common Korean idioms
Description: New York, NY : Routledge, 2018.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017039529 | ISBN 9781138698277 (hardcover : alk. paper) |
ISBN 9781138698284 (softcover: alk. paper) | ISBN 9781315519494 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Korean language—Idioms. | Korean language—Style. |
Korean language—Rhetoric.
Classification: LCC PL927.6 .P98 2018 | DDC 495.73/13—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017039529
ISBN: 978-1-138-69827-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-69828-4 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-51949-4 (ebk)

Typeset in Times New Roman

by Apex CoVantage, LLC

Visit the eResources: www.routledge.com/9781138698277

Contents

Acknowledgments vi
Introduction vii
Organization of entries vii
Presentation of entries vii
References ix
List of entries xi
500 common Korean idioms 1
Appendix: idioms by theme 230
Acknowledgments

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Byung Joon (Bryan) Ahn, who reviewed the draft
manuscript from a learner’s perspective, offered suggestions, and made edits. His work
and input were invaluable and significantly improved the book. Any remaining errors or
deficiencies in the book are solely my responsibility.
Introduction

Like any other language, Korean is full of idioms both in speech and in text. Idioms can
be a challenge for language learners, because their figurative meanings cannot easily be
derived from their literal meanings. For example, the Korean expression 국수를 먹다 lit-
erally means ‘to eat noodles’. This expression can be used literally, as in 점심 때 국수를
먹었어요 (‘I ate noodles for lunch’). However, when it is used figuratively, it means ‘to
hold a wedding’. For example, 언제 국수 먹어요? means ‘When is the big day?’ Idioms
are often linked to the cultural practices and traditions of those who use them. For example,
traditionally in Korea, noodles were served at wedding banquets. The long noodles were
a symbol of wishing the newlyweds a long and happy life together. By learning Korean
idioms, you can gain insight into the culture and thoughts of Korean speakers, and improve
your Korean proficiency overall.
This book explains 500 common Korean idioms. In this book, ‘idioms’ are broadly defined
as phrases or sentences that involve figurative meaning. They include fixed phrases, prov-
erbs, slang, colloquialisms, and common metaphorical expressions. The book is designed
for Korean language learners at or above the intermediate level who wish to expand the
scope of their vocabulary and expressions as well as for those who want to enrich their abil-
ity to communicate effectively and naturally in Korean.

Organization of entries
In this book, idioms are arranged in the order of the Korean alphabet. That is, they follow the
dictionary sequence of Korean consonants and vowels.
The order of consonant letters: ㄱ, ㄲ, ㄴ, ㄷ, ㄸ, ㄹ, ㅁ, ㅂ, ㅃ, ㅅ, ㅆ, ㅇ, ㅈ, ㅉ, ㅊ,
ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅎ
The order of vowel letters: ㅏ, ㅐ, ㅑ, ㅒ, ㅓ, ㅔ, ㅕ, ㅖ, ㅗ, ㅘ, ㅙ, ㅚ, ㅛ, ㅜ, ㅝ, ㅞ
ㅟ, ㅠ, ㅡ, ㅢ

Presentation of entries
As shown in the following example, each entry is presented with its definition, an explana-
tion of its meaning or usage, and two examples of its use.

뒷북 치다
to make a fuss after the event; to hear the news too late; to be behind the beat
[lit.] to play the drum late
<Informal> When a person is slow in catching up • 소식: news
with news or updates, he or she is said to 뒷북 • 사귀다: to date, to go out
치다 (‘play the drum belatedly’).
• ~ㄴ대(요): They say ~, I hear ~
viii Introduction

For example, if you talk or fuss about something • 사실: fact, truth
that everybody knows or about something that • 모르다: to not know
happened a while ago, you will be told 뒷북 치고
• ㄴ 거야: Is it that ~
계시네요 (‘You are playing the drum too late’).
The noun 뒷북 may also be used, in phrases such • 경제학: economics
as 뒷북이시네요 (‘You are a belated drum’). • 강의: lecture, class
This expression is mostly used between close • 취소되다: to be canceled
ones in a casual conversation and not toward
one’s seniors or elders.
1. 가: 야, 너 그 소식 들었냐? 창석이랑 수지랑
사귄대.
Hey, did you know? Apparently Changsok and
Suzy are dating.
나: 웬 뒷북? 다 아는 사실인데.
You’re so late! Everybody knows that.
가: 그래? 나만 몰랐던 거야?
Really? I’m the only one that didn’t know?
2. 가: 야, 내일 경제학 강의 취소 됐대.
Hey, I heard that our economics class
tomorrow was canceled.
나: 알고 있어. 뒷북 치지 마.
I know. You’re a little late.

1. The idiom and its figurative and literal meaning

Each entry starts with a Korean idiom and is followed by its figurative meaning and literal
meaning. Its literal meaning is indicated by ‘[lit.]’.

2. Type of expression
When applicable and necessary, the type of idiom is indicated using brackets < >.

<Informal>: ‘Informal’ indicates that the idiom is typically used in informal and casual
settings. It is best to refrain from using such idioms in formal or professional settings.
<Colloquial>: Colloquial expressions are most frequently used in ordinary oral conversa-
tions, although sometimes found in formal speech or writing.
<Slang>: When using expressions marked as ‘slang’, it is best to take context and
appropriateness into account. Acceptable use of slang is often restricted to people of
equal or younger age, close acquaintances, and highly casual settings. Some slang
expressions may be short-lived: they may be frequently used for a period of time but
then quickly die out.
<Proverb>: A proverb is a popular saying that typically presents the experience of the
speaker or the wisdom or lesson gained from the experience. Since some proverbs
 Introduction ix

have been handed down for many generations, they include archaic or obsolete words
that are rarely used in modern Korean. The boundary between proverbs and idiomatic
phrases can be vague or ambiguous. In labeling a phrase as a ‘proverb’, I referred to
the Korean Standard Dictionary by the National Institute of Korean Language (http://
stdweb2.korean.go.kr/main.jsp), which classifies proverbs and idiomatic phrases on
separate pages.
<Vulgar>: Vulgar expressions are unrefined, crude, and indecent. They are ‘low talk’,
lacking in good taste. I recommend that you not use vulgar words, but you may still
need to understand them as they are used in movies, dramas, and casual conversations.
<Derogatory>: Some idiomatic expressions involve disdain, a demeaning attitude, or a
lack of respect toward someone or something. Use these expressions with caution.

3. Explanation
Following the literal and figurative meaning of each idiom, further explanations of the idiom
are provided as needed, which include the idiom’s usage, its origins, its historical/cultural
background (if any), and common situations in which it is used.

4. Example usages
Two numbered examples are presented to help you understand the usage of each idiom. In
creating these examples, I took into account various contexts and situations in which the
idiom can be used. To increase the authenticity of the examples, I frequently referred to
the Internet and Korean media (TV dramas, news, movies, books, etc.) as well as personal
conversations with acquaintances. However, such samples of authentic Korean language
were altered or modified enough to suit this book and avoid any copyright issues.
In translating each example sentence into English, I focused more on conveying and
encapsulating the nuances and connotation of the sentence than on offering a literal trans-
lation. However, you will still be able to grasp the literal meaning of certain words and
phrases by referring to the vocabulary and grammar column on the right-hand side of
each entry.

5. Vocabulary and grammar

The right-hand column of each idiom entry provides definitions of words and grammar pat-
terns used in example sentences.

References
The main reference I used in selecting idioms for inclusion in this book was 국립국어원
표준국어대사전 (National Institute of Korean Language’s Korean Standard Dictionary),
available at http://stdweb2.korean.go.kr/main.jsp. I first reviewed the entire list of idiomatic
phrases and proverbs in the Korean Standard Dictionary and then selected about 600 by
excluding expressions that are less commonly used in modern Korean (based on my knowl-
edge and intuition as a native Korean speaker). I narrowed the list to approximately 390
idioms with the help of other native Korean speakers, who provided input regarding which
ones are more frequently used. And then I added about 110 idioms to the list. These were
x Introduction

mostly contemporary expressions such as slang, newly coined phrases, and colloquialisms I
had compiled over the past few years. The selection of 500 common idioms, therefore, was
not based on any quantitative data, such as the frequency of each idiom in a specific corpus.
However, efforts were made, through the procedures mentioned above, to include those
idiomatic expressions or set phrases that are most commonly used by native speakers today
in spoken or written communication.
List of entries

1 가난이 죄 40 국수 먹다
2 가는 날이 장날 41 굴뚝같다
3 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다 42 굴러온 호박
4 가닥을 잡다 43 굿이나 보고 떡이나 먹으면 된다
5 가만히 있으면 중간이나 가지 44 귀가 따갑도록 듣다
6 가방끈이 길다/짧다 45 귀를 의심하다
7 가슴에 못을 박다 46 귀신이 곡할 노릇이다
8 가슴이 철렁하다 47 귀에 거슬리다
9 가시방석에 앉다 48 귀에 들어가다
10 가재는 게 편 49 귀에 못(이) 박히도록 듣다
11 간뎅이가 부었군! 50 그게 어디예요?
12 간에 기별도 안 가다 51 그 나물에 그 밥
13 간에 붙었다 쓸개에 붙었다 한다 52 그러게 말이에요
14 간이 배 밖으로 나오다; 간이 크다 53 그러면 그렇지
15 간 떨리다; 간이 작다 54 그런가 하면
16 갈수록 태산 55 그런 게 어딨어?
17 갈피를 못 잡다 56 그렇고 그런 사이
18 감투를 쓰다 57 그릇이 작다/크다
19 갑질하다 58 그림의 떡
20 강 건너 불 구경하듯 59 그림이 좋다
21 강단에 서다 60 금강산도 식후경
22 갖고 놀다 61 기가 꺾이다; 기를 꺾다
23 개구리 올챙이 적 생각(을) 못 한다 62 기가 막히다
24 개나 소나 63 기가 살다; 기를 살리다
25 개천에서 용 나다 64 기를 쓰고
26 거기서 거기 65 기가 죽다; 기를 죽이다
27 거울로 삼다 66 기가 차다
28 걱정도 팔자다 67 기를 펴다
29 걱정을 붙들어 매다 68 기염을 토하다
30 경종을 울리다 69 긴가민가하다
31 고무신 거꾸로 신다 70 길고 짧은 것은 대어/재어 보아야
32 고배를 마시다 안다
33 고생 끝에 낙이 온다 71 (떡 줄 사람은 생각도 안 하는데)
34 골 때리다 김칫국부터 마신다
35 골치를 앓다 72 깜빡했어요
36 골탕 먹다 73 깨가 쏟아지다
37 골탕 먹이다 74 꺼져!
38 구렁이 담 넘어 가듯(이) 75 꼬리가 잡히다
39 국물도 없다 76 꼬리를 내리다
xii List of entries

77 꼬리를 치다 120 눈에 뵈는 게 없다
78 꼬리표가 붙다 121 눈에 불을 켜고
79 꼬투리(를) 잡다 122 눈에 아른거리다
80 꽁무니(를) 빼다 123 눈에 차다; 눈에 안 차다
81 꽉 잡고 있다 124 눈엣가시
82 꿀 먹은 벙어리 125 눈에 콩깍지가 씌다
83 꿈도 야무지다 126 눈을 붙이다
84 꿈보다 해몽이 좋다 127 눈을 의심하다
85 꿔다 놓은 보릿자루 128 눈을 씻고 봐도
86 꿩 대신 닭 129 눈이 높다
87 끝내준다 130 눈이 뒤집히다
88 나 몰라라 하다 131 눈이 맞다
89 나사가 풀리다 132 눈이 멀다
90 난다긴다 하는 사람 133 눈이 빠지도록 기다리다
91 날개 돋치게 팔리다 134 눈이 삐다
92 남의 눈에 눈물 나게 하면 제 135 눈코 뜰 새(가) 없다
눈에는 피눈물(이) 난다 136 다름이 아니라; 다른 게 아니라
93 남의 떡이 더 커 보인다 137 다리를 놓다
94 남의 잔치에 감 놓아라 배 놓아라 138 다리 뻗고 자다
한다 139 달밤에 체조하다
95 남이사 140 담을 쌓다
96 낮말은 새가 듣고 밤말은 쥐가 141 대박!
듣는다 142 대박(이) 나다/터지다; 대박(을)
97 내가 쏠게 내다/터뜨리다
98 내가 하면 로맨스 남이 하면 불륜 143 더위를 먹다
99 내 눈에 흙이 들어가기/들어오기 144 덜미가 잡히다
전에는 145 도둑이 제 발 저리다
100 내 코가 석자다 146 도마 위에 오르다
101 너나 잘해! 147 도시락 싸 (가지고) 다니면서
102 너 나 할 것 없이 말리다
103 너 많이 컸다 148 도토리 키 재기
104 녹초가 되다 149 돈 방석에 앉다
105 놀고 있네 150 돼먹지 않다
106 누가 ~ 아니랄까 봐 151 돼지 멱 따는 소리
107 누구 맘대로? 152 됐거든!
108 누울 자리 봐 가며 발을 뻗어라 153 될성 부른 나무는 떡잎부터
109 누워서 떡 먹기 알아본다
110 누워서 침 뱉기 154 두고 보다
111 누이 좋고 매부 좋다 155 두고 보자
112 눈 가리고 아웅 156 두 말하면 잔소리
113 눈 감아 주다 157 두 손 두 발 (다) 들다
114 눈독(을) 들이다 158 둘째가라면 서럽다
115 눈 밖에 나다 159 뒤끝이 없다
116 눈 앞이 캄캄하다 160 뒤로 넘어가다/넘어지다
117 눈에 넣어도 아프지 않다 161 뒤를 봐주다
118 눈에는 눈 이에는 이 162 뒤를 캐다
119 눈에 밟히다 163 뒤통수를 맞다
 List of entries xiii

164 뒤통수를 치다 210 맛을 들이다

165 뒷목 잡다 211 맛이 갔다
166 뒷북 치다 212 맞장구(를) 치다
167 등골이 빠지게 (일하다) 213 매도 먼저 맞는 게 낫다
168 등골이 오싹하다 214 맥을 못 추다
169 등을 돌리다 215 머리가 잘 돌아가다
170 등(을) 떠밀다; 등(이) 떠밀리다 216 머리가 커지다/크다
171 등잔 밑이 어둡다 217 머리를 굴리다
172 딱 잡아떼다 218 머리에 피도 안 마르다
173 딴 주머니를 차다 219 먹칠(을) 하다
174 딴지 걸다 220 멍석을 깔다/펴다
175 때가 묻다 221 메가폰을 잡다
176 때 빼고 광내다 222 메뚜기도 (유월이) 한철이다
177 땡땡이 치다 223 멘붕이다
178 땡 잡다 224 명함도 못 내밀다
179 떡고물이 떨어지다 225 모르긴 몰라도
180 떡이 되다 226 모르는 게 약이다
181 떼(어) 놓은 당상; 따 놓은 당상 227 목구멍까지 차오르다
182 또 알아요? 228 목에 핏대를 세우다
183 똑소리(가) 나다 229 목을 매다/매달다
184 똥 뭍은 개가 겨 뭍은 개 나무란다 230 몸 담다
185 똥 밟았다고 생각해 231 몸 둘 바를 모르다
186 똥이 더러워서 피하지 무서워서 232 못 말려; 못 말린다니까
피하나? 233 못 먹는 감 찔러나 본다
187 뚜껑을 열다 234 못해 먹겠다
188 뚜껑이 열리다 235 문자(를) 쓰다
189 뛰는 놈 위에 나는 놈 있다 236 물거품이 되다
190 뜨거운 감자 237 물이 좋다
191 뜨거운 맛을 보다 238 물꼬를 트다
192 뜬구름 잡다 239 물 먹이다
193 뜸(을) 들이다 240 물불(을) 안 가리다
194 뜻이 있는 곳에 길이 있다 241 물에 빠진 사람 구해 줬더니
195 마른 하늘에 날벼락 보따리 내놓으라 한다
196 마음(을) 놓다; 마음이 놓이다 242 물을 흐리다
197 마음(을) 먹다 243 뭐니 뭐니 해도
198 마음을 비우다 244 미역국을 먹다
199 마음(을) 잡다 245 미운 털이 박히다
200 말도 못 해요 246 믿는 도끼에 발등 찍힌다
201 말도 안 되다 247 밀당
202 말문이 막히다 248 밑도 끝도 없이
203 말을 맞추다 249 밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기
204 말이 씨가 되다 250 밑져야 본전
205 말이 아니에요 251 바가지를 긁다
206 말이야 바른대로 말이지 252 바가지를 쓰다
207 말이 통하다 253 바늘 도둑이 소도둑 된다
208 말짱 도루묵 254 바닥이 나다/드러나다
209 말 한마디에 천 냥 빚도 갚는다 255 바람을 맞다
xiv List of entries

256 바람을 피우다 303 빼도 박도 못하다

257 발길을 끊다; 발길이 끊기다 304 뻥치지 마!
258 발길이 떨어지지 않다 305 뿅 가다
259 발 뒤꿈치도 못 따라가다 306 사돈 남 말 한다
260 발 등에 불이 떨어지다 307 사서 고생하다
261 발 디딜 틈이 없다 308 사촌이 땅을 사면 배가 아프다
262 발목(이) 잡히다 309 산 넘어 산이다
263 발 벗고 나서다 310 살아 있네!
264 발 없는 말이 천 리 간다 311 삼천포로 빠지다
265 발을 들여놓다 312 상다리가 부러지다/휘어지다
266 발(을) 빼다 313 새 발의 피
267 발이 넓다 314 색안경을 끼고 보다
268 발이 묶이다 315 생각이 짧다
269 밤낮 가리지 않고 316 서당 개 삼 년이면 풍월을 읊는다
270 밥맛이다; 밥맛이야 317 설마가 사람 잡는다
271 밥 먹듯이 318 세월아 네월아
272 방귀 뀐 놈이 성낸다 319 세월 앞에 장사 없다
273 배꼽이 빠지다 320 소문난 잔치에 먹을 것 없다
274 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다 321 소 닭 보듯 하다
275 배부른 소리(를) 하다 322 소설(을) 쓰다
276 백지장도 맞들면 낫다 323 소 잃고 외양간 고친다
277 밴댕이 속 324 손가락(을) 빨다
278 버스 지나간 뒤 손 흔들기 325 손꼽아 기다리다
279 번데기 앞에서 주름 잡다 326 손발이 오그라들다
280 번지수(를) 잘못 찾다 327 손발이 잘 맞다
281 법 없이도 살 사람 328 손에 물 한 방울 안 묻히다
282 벼는 익을수록 고개를 숙인다 329 손에 안 잡히다
283 벼룩의 간을 빼 먹다 330 손(을) 놓다
284 병 주고 약 준다 331 손(을) 벌리다
285 보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다 332 손(을) 떼다
286 보는 눈이 많다 333 손(을) 씻다/털다
287 보는 눈이 없다 334 손이 맵다
288 보는 눈이 있다 335 손이 발이 되도록 빌다
289 보자 보자 하니까 336 손이 크다
290 봐 주다 337 쇠뿔도 단김에 빼라
291 부부 싸움은 칼로 물 베기 338 수박 겉 핥기
292 북 치고 장구 치고 (다) 하다 339 시도 때도 없이
293 불난 집에 부채질하다 340 시작이 반이다
294 불을 보듯 뻔하다/훤하다 341 시장이 반찬이다
295 비가 오나 눈이 오나 342 시치미를 떼다
296 비 온 뒤에 땅이 굳어진다 343 식은 죽 먹기
297 비행기 태우다 344 신경 끄세요!
298 빈 수레가 요란하다 345 십 년 묵은 체증이 내려가다
299 빛 좋은 개살구 346 십 년이면 강산도 변한다
300 빡세게 347 싹수가 노랗다
301 빡치다 348 싼 게 비지떡
302 빵 터지다 349 쌤통이다!
 List of entries xv

350 썰렁하다 392 원숭이도 나무에서 떨어질 때가

351 썸 타다 있다
352 쐐기를 박다 393 웬 떡이냐; 웬 떡이야
353 쑥대밭을 만들다 394 윗 물이 맑아야 아랫물이 맑다
354 씨가 마르다 395 입김을 넣다
355 씨알도 안 먹히다 396 입만 뻥끗하면
356 아니나 다를까 397 입 바른 소리
357 아 다르고 어 다르다 398 입에 담다
358 아직 멀었어요 399 입에 발린 소리
359 안 봐도 비디오 400 입에 침이나 바르고 거짓말 해라
360 앓던 이 빠진 것 같다 401 입은 삐뚤어져도 말은 바로 해라
361 앞뒤가 (꽉) 막히다 402 입이 귀에 걸리다
362 앞뒤가 다르다 403 입이 닳도록
363 애가 타다; 애를 태우다 404 입이 무겁다/가볍다
364 애간장을 녹이다; 애간장이 녹다 405 입이 싸다
365 양다리 걸치다 406 입이 열 개라도 할 말이 없다
366 어안이 벙벙하다 407 입이 짧다
367 어제 오늘 일이 아니다 408 자다가도 벌떡 일어난다
368 얼굴이 두껍다; 얼굴에 철판을 409 자다가 봉창 두드리는 소리
깔다 410 자리가 사람을 만든다
369 엎드려 절 받기 411 자식 이기는 부모 없다
370 엎어지면 코 닿을 데 414 잔뼈가 굵다
371 엎질러진 물 415 잘 나가다
372 엎친 데 덮친 격으로 416 잠수 타다
373 여자가 한을 품으면 오뉴월에도 417 절이 싫으면 중이 떠나야지
서리가 내린다 418 정신 사납다
374 열 길 물속은 알아도 한 길 사람 419 정신을 차리다
속은 모른다 420 정신없이
375 열 번 찍어 안 넘어가는 나무 없다 421 정신이 나가다
376 열 손가락 깨물어 안 아픈 손가락 422 정신이 없다
이 없다 423 정신줄 놓다
377 열 받다 424 제정신이 아니다
378 열풍이 불다 425 제가 동네북이에요?
379 엿 먹이다 426 제가 제 무덤을 판다
380 오늘내일하다 427 제 눈에 안경이다
381 오리발을 내밀다 428 제 얼굴에 침 뱉기
382 오르지 못할 나무는 쳐다보지도 429 주가를 올리다
마라 430 주는 것 없이 밉다
383 오바하다 431 죽도 밥도 안 되다
384 오지랖이 넓다 432 죽어라 하고
385 옥에 티 433 죽이 되든 밥이 되든
386 옷걸이가 좋다 434 죽인다
387 옷을 벗다 435 쥐구멍에도 볕 들 날 있다
388 옷이 날개다 436 쥐도 새도 모르게
389 우물 안 개구리 437 쥐뿔도 없으면서
390 울며 겨자 먹기 438 쥐 죽은 듯
391 웃는 얼굴에 침 뱉으랴 439 지나가던 개도 웃겠다
xvi List of entries

440 지렁이도 밟으면 꿈틀한다 471 팔이 안으로 굽다

441 지푸라기라도 잡고 싶은 심정이다 472 피가 마르다
442 짚신도 (제) 짝이 있다 473 피가 되고 살이 되다
443 짜고 치는 고스톱 474 피는 물보다 진하다
444 짱이다 475 피도 눈물도 없다
445 쩐다 476 필름이 끊기다
446 쪽 팔리다 477 하나를 보면 열을 안다
447 찍히다 478 하늘을 봐야 별을 딴다
448 찔리다 479 하늘의 별 따기
449 찬물을 끼얹다 480 하늘이 무너져도 솟아날 구멍이
450 찬밥 더운밥을 가릴 때가 아니다 있다
451 천 리 길도 한 걸음부터 481 하루가 멀다 하고
452 첫 단추를 잘못 끼우다 482 하룻강아지 범 무서운 줄 모른다
453 첫술에 배부르랴 483 학을 떼다
454 초를 치다 484 한 귀로 듣고 한 귀로 흘리다
455 초읽기에 들어가다 485 한눈 팔다
456 총대를 메다 486 한 배를 타다
457 치를 떨다 487 한솥밥을 먹다
458 침이 마르도록; 입에 침이 마르도록 488 한술 더 떠서
459 칼자루를 잡다/쥐다 489 한 우물을 파다
460 코가 납작해지다 490 한 ~하다
461 코빼기도 안 보이다 491 해가 서쪽에서 뜨겠다
462 코에 걸면 코걸이 귀에 걸면 귀걸이 492 허리가 휘다
463 콩가루 집안 493 허리띠를 졸라매다
464 콩밥을 먹다 494 허파에 바람이 들다
465 태클 걸다 495 혀를 내두르다
466 털어서 먼지 안 나는 사람 없다 496 호랑이도 제 말하면 온다
467 토를 달다 497 호랑이 새끼를 키우다
468 티끌 모아 태산 498 호박씨를 까다
469 파김치가 되다 499 홍역을 치르다
470 파리 날리다 500 화촉을 밝히다
500 common
Korean idioms
 Entry 1: 가난이 죄 3

1. 가난이 죄
ㄱ
Poverty is the cause of trouble; poverty is the mother of crime.
[lit.] Poverty is sin.
<Proverb> This proverb refers to a situation in which poverty • 가난: poverty
leads a person to crime or trouble or in which someone is • 죄: sin
unable to attain what he or she desires due to poverty. 가난이
• 병을 고치다: to cure
원수 (‘Poverty is the enemy’) may also be used.
illness
1. 돈이 없어 병을 고칠 수 없어요. 가난이 죄네요. • 거액: a large amount of
I can’t treat the illness because I don’t have money. money
Poverty is the cause of trouble.
• 탈세하다: to evade tax
2. 거액을 탈세한 재벌총수보다 배고픈 자식을 위해 빵 • 재벌총수: head of a
몇 개 훔친 아버지가 감옥에서 더 오래산다고 합니다. conglomerate
가난이 죄인가요?
• 배고프다: be hungry
They say that a father who stole a few pieces of bread for
his hungry children will serve a longer term in prison than • 감옥: prison
the head of a large corporation who evaded a huge sum of
taxes. Is poverty the cause of trouble?

2. 가는 날이 장날
an unexpected coincidence; bad timing
[lit.] The day when (I) go is the market day.
This phrase refers to encountering something unexpectedly. In • 제주도: Jeju Island
the early days in Korea, the town market opened every five days. • 휴가: vacation
When people visited town for business and it happened to be the
• 떠나다: to leave
market day, they were fortunate enough to be able to not only
take care of their business but also visit the market. However, • 휴가를 떠나다: to go
this phrase is often used negatively. Imagine that you make a on a vacation
long trip to visit a museum, only to find out that the museum is • 장날: market day
under temporary lockdown due to an unexpected incident. • 매월: every month
You might say 가는 날이 장날이었어요 (‘The day I went
• 첫째 주: the first week
was the market day’).
• 쉬는 날: an off day
1. 오늘 제주도로 휴가 떠나는데요. 가는 날이
장날이라더니 어제까지 괜찮던 날씨가 오늘 비가
내리네요.
I am going on vacation to Jeju Island today. But while it
was sunny all week, it is rainy today. It’s an unfortunate
coincidence.
4 Entry 3: 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다

2. 오늘 친구랑 백화점에 갔는데 문을 닫았더라구요.

매월 첫째 주 월요일이 쉬는 날이더라구요. 가는 날이
장날이었네요.
I went to the mall today with my friend, but it was closed.
Apparently they are closed every first Monday of the
month. It was just bad timing.

3. 가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 곱다
What goes around comes around.
[lit.] When the outgoing words are beautiful, the incoming words are beautiful.
<Proverb> This proverb means that if you say nice words you • 화를 내다: to get angry
will get nice words in return. • 먼저: first, ahead
1. 가: 왜 그렇게 화를 내? • 소리(를) 지르다: to yell
Why are you losing your temper? • 곱다: be beautiful
나: 니가 먼저 소리 질렀잖아. 가는 말이 고와야 오는
• ~아/어야: only if ~,
말이 곱지.
only when ~
You raised your voice first. You should speak nicely if you
expect me to speak nicely in return. • 욕(을) 하다: to swear
• ~길래: because ~
2. 그 사람이 먼저 저한테 욕을 하길래 저도 욕을 했어요.
가는 말이 고와야 오는 말이 고운 법이잖아요. • ~ㄴ 법이다: It is
That man swore at me first, so I swore back at him. What nature’s law that ~, It is
goes around comes around, you know. usually the case that ~

4. 가닥을 잡다
to set one’s course/direction
[lit.] to grab a strand
This expression means that a person comes to understand the • 경찰: the police
situation based on logic or reason and sets his or her course • 피해자: victim
or direction accordingly. Its passive form is 가닥이 잡히다
• 사망: death
(‘One’s course/direction is set’).
• 자살: suicide
1. 경찰은 피해자의 사망이 자살이 아닌 살인사건으로
• 살인사건: a murder
가닥을 잡았습니다.
case
The police set the direction of their investigation of the
victim’s death toward murder and not suicide. • 가닥: a strand
• 잡다: to grab, catch
2. 정부는 신공항 건설을 백지화하는 쪽으로 가닥을
잡았습니다. • 건설: construction
The government decided to abandon the construction of a • 백지화하다: to nullify
new airport.
 Entry 5: 가만히 있으면 중간이나 가지 5

5. 가만히 있으면 중간이나 가지

You should’ve kept silent; you should’ve done nothing.
[lit.] If you stay still/silent, you can go as far as the middle.
<Informal> Imagine your teacher or your boss asks you a • 가만히 있다: to stay
question. If you give a very ignorant answer, you may end up still/silent
wishing you had given no answer at all. In this idiom, 중간 • 통역: interpretation
(‘the middle’) refers to an average person. 가만히 있으면
• 자원하다: to volunteer
중간은 간다 is equivalent to the Danish proverb ‘Fools are
like other folks as long as they are silent.’ Use this idiom only• 나서다: to come
with close friends and someone of equal or lower status. forward
• 쪽팔리다: (Informal) to
1. 가: 야, 내가 영어 통역 자원해서 나섰다가 너무 못해서
feel embarrassed
정말 쪽팔렸어.
I volunteered as a Korean-English interpreter, but I didn’t • 그러게: yeah
do very well. I was so embarrassed. • 쓸데없이: uselessly
나: 그러게 왜 쓸데없이 나서? • 잘하든 못하든: whether
가만히 있으면중간이나가지. you do good or not
Why did you volunteer? You would have been better off
• 동의하다: to agree
not doing anything.
• 적극적으로: actively,
2. 나는 ‘가만히 있으면 중간은 간다’ 라는 말에 동의하지 enthusiastically
않는다. 잘하든 못하든 적극적으로 시도하는 게 더
• 시도하다: to try
낫다고 생각한다.
I don’t agree with the saying ‘If you remain silent, at least • 낫다: be better
you won’t mess up.’ In my opinion, it is always better to
give it your best shot than not try at all.

6. 가방끈이 길다/짧다
to have much/little education
[lit.] One’s bag strap is long/short.
Someone who holds a master’s or doctoral degree can be • 가방: bag
figuratively described as having a long bag strap. Someone • 끈: strap
who only graduated elementary or middle school may say
• 길다: be long
저는 가방끈이 짧아요 (‘The strap of my bag is short’),
meaning ‘I received little education.’ • 짧다: be short
• ㄴ데/는데: but
1. 가방끈은 긴데 아직 취업을 못하고 있습니다.
I received a high level of education, but I haven’t found a • 아직: yet
job yet. • 취업: getting a job
2. 가방끈이 짧아서 괜찮은 직장은 못 구하고 • 괜찮다: be nice, fine
아르바이트를 하고 있어요. • 직장: workplace
Due to my limited education, I couldn’t find a decent job, • 구하다: to find (out)
so I have a part-time job.
• 아르바이트: a part-time
job
6 Entry 7: 가슴에 못을 박다

7. 가슴에 못을 박다
to deeply hurt one’s heart/feelings
[lit.] to hammer a nail into one’s heart
가슴에 대못을 박다 (‘to hammer a big nail into one’s heart’) • 못을 박다: to drive a
may also be used. Its passive form is 가슴에 못이 박히다 nail
(‘One’s heart becomes deeply hurt’). • 십 대: teenage
1. 십 대때 나의 잘못된 행동으로 부모님의 가슴에 여러 • 잘못된 행동: wrong
번 못을 박았었다. behaviors
My immature behaviors as an adolescent broke my • 여러 번: many times
parents’ heart many times.
• 갑작스런: sudden,
2. 그는 갑작스런 이별통보로 여자친구의 가슴에 대못을 abrupt
박았다. • 이별통보: notification
His sudden break-up with his girlfriend deeply hurt her of parting
feelings.

8. 가슴이 철렁하다
to be shocked with fear
[lit.] One’s heart jolts.
가슴이 내려앉다 (‘One’s heart sinks’) is another expression • 아이: child
of the same meaning. • 119: 119 Rescue Center
1. 아이가 119에 실려갔다는 얘기를 듣고 가슴이 • 실려가다: to be loaded
철렁했어요. • 가슴: heart, chest
When I heard my child was taken to the hospital in an
• 명단: list
ambulance, I was shocked.
• 보이다: to be seen
2. 합격자 명단에 내 이름이 안 보이자 가슴이 철렁했다.
• ~자: when ~
My heart sank when I didn’t see my name on the list of
people who passed the exam.

9. 가시방석에 앉다
to be faced with an uneasy situation
[lit.] to sit on a mat of thorns
This idiom is used when someone faces an uncomfortable, • 실수: mistake
anxious, or restless situation. 바늘 방석에 앉다 (‘to sit on a • 손해: loss
mat of needles’) has the same meaning.
• 손해를 보다: to suffer a
1. 내 실수로 회사가 큰 손해를 보게 되어 가시방석에 loss
앉은 기분이었다. • ~(으)ㄴ 기분이다: to
I was on pins and needles because my mistakes led to big be the feeling of ~
losses for my company.
• 현 직원: current
employee(s)
• 줄이다: to reduce
 Entry 10: 가재는 게 편 7

2. 현 직원의 40%를 줄이겠다는 회사의 발표 후 직원들의 • 발표: announcement

마음은 가시방석에 앉은 것처럼 불편했다. • ~(으)ㄴ 것처럼: like
The employees were on pins and needles after the being ~
company announced that it would reduce the workforce
• 불편하다: be
by 40%.
uncomfortable

10. 가재는 게 편
People tend to stick with their own kind.
[lit.] Crayfish is on crab’s side.
<Proverb> Crayfishes and crabs are similar in their looks. • 가재: crayfish, lobster
This idiom means that people of the same field or of the same • 게: crab
background tend to stick together and help each other.
• 의사협회: medical
Synonyms: 팔이 안으로 굽는다 (‘The arms bend inward’)
association
(See idiom 471), 초록은 동색 (‘Grass and green are the same
color’) • 과실: fault
• 징계하다: to discipline
1. 가: 의사협회가 그 의사의 과실을 제대로 징계할까요?
가재는 게 편이라잖아요. • 비리: corruption
Do you think the Korean Medical Association will • 검사: prosecutor
properly discipline the doctor’s mistakes? You know they • 검찰: prosecution
say that crayfish is on crab’s side.
• 처벌 수위: punishment
나: 그러게 말이에요. 걱정이에요.
level
I know. I’m concerned, too.
• 비난이 일다: criticism
2. 가재는 게 편이라더니 비리 검사에 대한 검찰의 처벌 is rising
수위가 너무 낮다는 비난이 일고 있습니다.
There is much criticism that the prosecution’s sentence
against the corrupt prosecutor is too mild, which is
reminding people of the saying that crayfish is on crab’s side.

11. 간뎅이가 부었군!

What nerve; how bold!
[lit.] Your liver is swollen!
<Informal> 간뎅이 is a vulgar word for 간 (‘liver’). The • 부검: autopsy
meaning of 간이 붓다 or 간뎅이가 붓다 is synonymous with • 결과서: report of results
간이 크다, which means ‘to have a lot of nerve’.
• 조작하다: to fabricate
Synonyms: 간이 크다 (‘to be bold’), 간이 배 밖으로 나오다
(‘to be reckless’, ‘to be bold’) (See idiom 14.) • ~구만/~구나: sentence
ending expressing the
1. 부검 결과서를 조작하다니. 간뎅이가 부었구만. speaker’s realization or
Oh my, how dare he fabricate the autopsy results! surprise
2. 가: 거기가 얼마나 위험한데 겁도 없이 거기를 혼자 • 위험하다: be dangerous
갔어? 너 간뎅이가 부었구나. • 겁도 없이: without fear
That’s a dangerous area! You’ve got a lot of nerve going
• ~아/어 보이다: to
there alone.
look ~
나: 그래? 별로 안 위험해 보이던데.
Really? It didn’t look that dangerous.
8 Entry 12: 간에 기별도 안 가다

12. 간에 기별도 안 가다
The amount of food is far from filling one’s stomach; the food is not even enough
to feed a fly.
[lit.] (food) to not even give a signal to one’s liver
간에 기별도 안 가다 or 간에 기별도 가지 않다 literally • 간: liver
means that the amount of food is so little that your body, • 기별: notice, message
including your liver, cannot even feel it. This expression is
• 다이어트: diet
used when the quantity of food is too small and hardly fills a
person’s stomach. • ~중이다: in the middle
of ~, under ~
1. 가: 그거 먹고 되겠어? 간에 기별도 안 가겠다.
• 배가 고프다: be hungry
Is that enough food for you? Your stomach won’t even
feel it. • 김밥: kimbap (a Korean
나: 지금 다이어트 중이야. dish)
I am currently on a diet. • 두 줄: two lines
2. 가: 음, 간에 기별도 안 가는 거 같아. 아직도 배가 • ~(이)나: as much as ~
고프네. • ~ㄴ다구: Are you
Hmm, this doesn’t fill my stomach at all. I am still hungry. saying that ~
나: 김밥을 두 줄이나 먹어 놓고 간에 기별도 안 간다구?
You ate two rolls of kimbap and you are saying it doesn’t
fill your stomach at all?

13. 간에 붙었다 쓸개에 붙었다 한다

to change sides readily for one’s own interests
[lit.] It sticks to the liver and then sticks to the gallbladder.
<Proverb> This proverb describes a person who readily • 간: liver
and selfishly changes sides in order to maintain his or her • 쓸개: gallbladder
advantage.
• 아부하다: to flatter, to
1. 그 사람은 아부도 잘하고 배신도 잘 하니까 조심해. 간에 brownnose
붙었다 쓸개에 붙었다 하거든. • 배신하다: to betray
Watch out for her. She is really good at kissing up to people,
• 조심하다: be careful
but also good at betraying them. She readily changes sides
for her own self-interests. • 필요에 따라: as needed
• 기회주의자: opportunist
2. 그는 필요에 따라 간에 붙었다 쓸개에 붙었다 하는
기회주의자다. 자신의 이익을 위해 여당에 붙었다 • 여당: the ruling party
야당에 붙었다 한다. • 야당: the opposition
He is a selfish opportunist who changes sides in order to party
reap the most benefits. He switches over between the ruling
party and the opposing party to fulfill his self-interests.
 Entry 14: 간이 배 밖으로 나오다 9

14. 간이 배 밖으로 나오다

to be very bold; to be reckless
[lit.] One’s liver comes out of one’s belly.
간이 크다
to be bold; to have guts
[lit.] One’s liver is big.
간이 크다 refers to being overly eager to do something that •
배: belly, stomach
is risky or dangerous. It often carries a negative connotation •
밖으로: outward
involving an action that is risky and undesirable. When
•
나오다: to come out
someone’s action or idea is too bold to the extent of being
reckless, 간이 붓다 (‘One’s liver is swollen’, ‘to have a •
크다: be big
swollen liver’) and 간이 배 밖으로 나오다 (‘One’s liver •
붓다: to swell
comes out of one’s belly/stomach’) may also be used. •
어떻게: how
Synonym: (매우) 대담하다 (‘to be bold’)
•
회사 돈: company
1. 간도 크다. 어떻게 회사돈을 1억이나 떼먹냐? money
She’s got a lot of nerve. How dare she bilk her company of • 1(일)억: one hundred
a hundred million won? million
2. 음주운전에다 경찰 폭행까지. 간이 배 밖으로 나왔군. • 떼(어)먹다: to bilk
He assaulted a police officer on top of driving under the (money)
influence. He is reckless.

15. 간 떨리다
to feel nervous; to feel frightened
[lit.] One’s liver trembles.
간이 작다
to be timid; to be not daring
[lit.] One’s liver is small.
Whereas boldness is associated with a big liver, timidity • 작다: be small
is imagined as a small liver. A similar expression is 간이 • 떨리다: to shake, to
콩알만해지다 (‘One’s liver shrinks to the size of a bean’). tremble
Its verb form 간 떨리다 (‘to feel frightened/nervous’) is also
• 불법: illegal, unlawful
frequently used. Synonym: 소심하다 (‘to be timid’)
• 동영상: video, moving
1. 불법 동영상 보려다가 간이 작아서 그만뒀어요. images
I was going to watch videos illegally, but I was scared. So,
• ~(으)려다가: was going
I gave up.
to ~ but
2. 도둑인줄 알고 간이 콩알만해졌어요. • 그만두다: to quit
I thought he was a thief, so I was scared out of my wits.
• 도둑: thief
10 Entry 16: 갈수록 태산

3. 가: 이제 승부차기로 승자를 가리겠네요. • ~ㄴ 줄 알다: thought

I guess the winner will be determined through a penalty (it) is ~
shoot-out. • 승부차기: penalty
나: 아, 간 떨려서 못 볼 거 같아요. shoot-out
Oh, I feel so nervous. I don’t think I can watch it.
• 승자를 가리다: to
decide the winner

16. 갈수록 태산
From smoke into smother; things go from bad to worse.
[lit.] The more it goes, the bigger the mountain.
<Proverb> This proverb refers to a situation that is getting • ~을수록: the more ~
worse from an already bad state. • 태산: a huge mountain
1. 게임중독에다가 알콜중독이라구? 갈수록 태산이구만. • 중독: addiction
He is a game addict and on top of that he is an alcoholic? • 빚을 갚다: to pay one’s
Things are going from bad to worse. debt
2. 갚을 빚도 많은데 남편이 실직까지 했어요. 갈수록 • 실직하다: to lose one’s
태산이에요. job
We are heavily in debt, and, to top it off, my husband lost
his job. Things are getting worse.

17. 갈피를 못 잡다
cannot make heads or tails; cannot grasp the point
[lit.] cannot seize the intersection point
갈피 refers to a boundary between sections or an intersection • 신상품: new product
point where edges of two things meet. 갈피를 못 잡다 • 소비자층: consumer
figuratively means that someone does not have a clue as to class
what to do or cannot grasp the meaning of something.
• ~기 어렵다: be difficult
1. 우리는 신상품의 타겟 소비자층을 이삼십 대 남성으로 to do ~
할 지 사오십 대 남성으로 할 지 갈피를 잡기 어려웠다. • 방송국: broadcasting
It was difficult for us to choose between men in their 20s station
and 30s or men in their 40s and 50s as a target consumer
• 신문방송학과:
group for our new product.
department of
2. 방송국 PD가 되고 싶은데 무슨 전공을 해야 하나요? journalism and
신문방송학과를 가야할 지 연극영화학과를 가야할 지 broadcasting
갈피를 못 잡겠어요. • 연극영화학과:
I’d like to become a producer at a broadcasting station. department of theater
What should I major in? I have no idea whether I should and film studies
major in journalism and broadcasting or in theater and
film studies.
 Entry 18: 감투를 쓰다 11

18. 감투를 쓰다
to get an important title/position
[lit.] to wear a horsehair cap
감투 is a kind of cap worn by government officers in Korea’s • 감투 쓰다: to wear a
old days. It was made out of horsehair. Figuratively 감투 horsehair cap
refers to a title or position, particularly a leadership position. • ~더니: since ~, because
1. 그 사람 감투 쓰더니 많이 변했어. • 변하다: to change
He has changed a lot ever since his promotion to a high- • 회장님: president,
level position. chairman of an
2. 회장님 되신 거 축하드려요. 감투 쓰시니 달라 association
보이는데요. • 축하드리다: to
Congratulations on becoming the president. Now that you celebrate, congratulate
are president, you look different. • ~(으)니 or (으)니까:
since ~, as ~
• 다르다: be different
• 달라 보이다: to look
different

19. 갑질하다
to overuse one’s power; to boss around
[lit.] to behave like a kap
<Slang> 갑 is a term used in a contract agreement in which • 본사: headquarters
the employer is referred to as 갑 and the employee is referred • 가맹점: franchised store
to as 을. Such a contractual situation is often perceived as
• 가맹점주: franchised
hierarchical, with 을 being subservient to 갑 (‘boss’). 질 is
store owner
a suffix meaning ‘act’ or ‘behavior’, which is a derogatory
word for 행동 (‘behavior’). Therefore, 갑질 means ‘bossy • 사례: case, example
behavior’. 갑질하다 is used when a person in a superior • 늘어나다: to increase
position is being bossy. • 만연하다: be prevalent
1. 프렌차이즈 본사들이 가맹점주들에게 갑질을 하는 • 뿌리 뽑다: to root out
사례가 늘어나고 있다고 합니다. • 현실적인: realistic
There have been increasing reports of headquarters
• 대책을 마련하다: to
abusing their power against franchise owners.
prepare measures
12 Entry 20: 강 건너 불구경하듯

2. 우리 사회에 만연한 갑질문화를 뿌리 뽑기 위해

현실적인 대책 마련이 필요합니다.
We need to come up with realistic measures in order to
eradicate the culture of power abuse that is prevalent in
our society.

20. 강 건너 불구경하듯
to look on somebody’s trouble with indifference
[lit.] as if one looks at a fire across the river
강 건너 불구경하듯 하다 or 강 건너 불 보듯 하다 • 강: river
describes a situation in which someone is indifferent about • ~ 건너: across ~
someone else’s trouble or problem, as if he or she thinks of it
• 불: fire
as irrelevant to himself or herself.
• 구경하다: to sightsee
1. 가: 요즘 민경이 경제 상황이 많이 안 좋대.
• 상황: situation
I heard that Minkyung is in a bad economic situation.
나: 친한 친구 일인데 우리가 뭔가 도와야 하지 않을까? • 친한 친구: a close
강 건너 불구경하듯 하면 안 될 것 같은데. friend
She is our close friend. Shouldn’t we do something to help • 뭔가: something
her? I feel we shouldn’t sit here doing nothing about it. • 돕다: to help
2. 동생이 어려움에 처해 있는데 돕지도 않고 강 건너 불 • 어려움: difficulty
보듯 하고 있으면 어떡하니? • 어려움에 처하다: to
How can you be so indifferent about your brother’s struggles? face a difficulty

21. 강단에 서다
to teach at a college; to have a teaching profession
[lit.] to stand on the lecture podium
1. 가: 처음 강단에 서신 게 언제인가요? • 강단: platform, podium
When did you begin your teaching career? • 서다: to stand
나: 그 때가 2006년 봄이었어요.
• 엊그제: the day before
It was in the spring of 2006.
yesterday
 Entry 22: 갖고 놀다 13

2. 처음 강단에 선 게 엊그제 같은 데 벌써 25년이 • ~ 같다: It’s like ~

넘었네요. • 넘다: to go over
It seems like yesterday that I first started teaching, but it’s
already been more than 25 years.

22. 갖고 놀다
to make a fool of; to play with somebody’s emotions
[lit.] to play with
<Informal, Vulgar> 가지고 놀다 or 갖고 놀다 describes a • 가지다: to have
situation in which someone makes a fool of someone else or • 사실: fact, truth
plays with that person’s emotions.
• 숨기다: to hide
1. 가: 왜 나한테 사실을 숨겼어? 지금까지 날 갖고 논 • 설명하다: to explain
거야?
• 사귀자: ‘Let’s go out’
Why did you hide the truth from me? Have you been
making a fool of me all this time? • 그런 말: such words
나: 아냐, 그런 거 아냐. 내가 다 설명할 게. • 감정: feeling, emotion
No, it’s not like that. I’ll explain it all to you.
2. 남자 친구가 있으면서 왜 나한테 사귀자 그런 말을
했어? 내 감정을 갖고 놀다니.
Why did you ask me out when you already had a
boyfriend? How dare you play with my feelings!

23. 개구리 올챙이 적 생각(을) 못 한다

People tend to forget what they were like in the past.
[lit.] The frog forgets that it was once a tadpole.
<Proverb> This proverb refers to a situation in which • 개구리: frog
someone is unable to think of his or her old days. For • 올챙이: tadpole
example, it means that after succeeding or becoming a
• ~ 적: time of ~
‘somebody’, a person forgets about when he or she was a
‘nobody’ or when he or she had hard times. • 생각 못하다: cannot
think of
1. 가: 영수 씨가 일을 너무 못하는 거 같애.
• 같애: a colloquial
Youngsoo seems to be underperforming at work.
variant of 같아
나: 개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못한다더니 너도 처음 일
시작했을 때 저랬어. • ~는 것 같아: It seems ~,
They say that people tend to forget what they were like in I think ~
the past. You were just like him when you first started work. • 처음: for the first time
2. 겸손하던 사람이었는데 성공한 후에 좀 거만하게 • 시작하다: to start
변한 것 같아요. 개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못한다더니 • 겸손하다: be modest
말이에요. • 거만하다: be arrogant,
He used to be humble, but he became snobbish after his snobbish
successes. I mean, it’s like the saying that one’s old days
and hard times are easily forgotten.
14 Entry 24: 개나 소나

24. 개나 소나
everyone; so many people
[lit.] whether it is a dog or a cow
<Informal> This expression is synonymous with 너 나 할 것 • 대기업: big enterprises
없이 (‘everyone’, ‘without exception’) but is more vulgar and • 취직하다: to get a job
derogatory.
• 중소기업: medium and
1. 가: 요즘 졸업생들은 개나 소나 다 대기업에 small enterprises
취직하려고 한대요. • 구인난: labor shortage
They say college graduates these days all try to get
• 심하다: be severe
employed in large corporations.
나: 그러니 중소기업에서는 구인난이 심하죠. • 히트치다: to make a
That’s why small and medium-sized companies are great hit
struggling with labor shortage. • 치킨 집: a small
chicken restaurant
2. 한참 치킨 집이 히트쳤을 때 개나 소나 다 치킨 가게를
열었다가 망한 사람들 많았죠.
When chicken restaurants were trending, so many people
started chicken restaurants and went bankrupt.

25. 개천에서 용 나다
Rags to riches; a person from a humble background makes a great achievement.
[lit.] A dragon rises from a small stream.
<Proverb> This proverb refers to a case in which a person • 개천: small stream
from a humble family or poor surroundings overcomes • 용: dragon
hardships and becomes a great achiever. For instance, if a
• 설문조사: survey
person from the streets of Harlem makes it to Harvard, you
might say 개천에서 용이 났다. • 응답하다: to respond
• 경제력: economic
1. 한 설문조사에서 한국인 10명 중 6명은 개천에서 용
strength
나기가 힘들다고 응답했습니다. 부모의 경제력이
자녀의 경제적 성공에 많은 영향을 끼친다고 생각하는 • 영향을 끼치다: to
것으로 나타났습니다. make an impact
In a survey, 6 out of 10 Koreans stated that it is difficult to • ~(으)로 나타나다: to
go from rags to riches. It was revealed that many think that be revealed as ~
their parents’ economic status can substantially contribute • 조그맣다: be small
to their children’s future economic success.
• 산골 마을: mountain
2. 가: 조그만 산골 마을에 사는 학생이 이번 village
수능시험에서 만점을 받았대요. • 수능시험
Apparently a student from a small mountain village (=수학능력시험):
received a perfect score on the College Scholastic Ability College Scholastic
Test this year. Ability Test
나: 와, 개천에서 용 났네.
• 만점: perfect score
Wow, that’s a case of Harlem to Harvard.
 Entry 26: 거기서 거기 15

26. 거기서 거기
more of the same; no difference
[lit.] from there to there
거기서 거기예요 means that there is not much difference • 전기밥솥: electric rice
among the objects compared. cooker
1. 가: 이 전기밥솥 진짜 괜찮아요. 아주 특별한 • 특별하다: be special
밥솥이에요. • 끓이다: to boil
This rice cooker is phenomenal. It’s really special. • 라면을 끓이다: to cook
나: 밥솥이 다 거기서 거기지. 뭐가 특별할 게 있겠어? ramen
All rice cookers are essentially the same. What can be so
• ~(이)라고 (해서) . . . .
special?
게 아니다: Not all ~
2. 가: 진짜 맛있는 라면 내가 끓여줄게. are . . . .
Let me cook some delicious ramen for you.
나: 라면 맛이야 거기서 거기지, 뭐.
But all ramen tastes about the same.
가: 라면이라고 다 거기서 거기가 아냐.
No. They are not all the same.

27. 거울로 삼다
to learn from it; to take it as the model
[lit.] to take (it) as a mirror
This idiom refers to a situation in which a person takes his or her • 거울: mirror
mistake or failure as a learning experience that will lead him or her • 실패: failure
to do better next time. It can also be used when someone regards
• 더더욱: even more
something as an exemplary model that he or she can emulate.
Synonym: 교훈으로 삼다 (‘to take it as a lesson’) • 외부 평가: external
evaluation
1. 이번 실패를 거울로 삼아 더더욱 열심히 하도록
• 회사 운영: corporate
하겠습니다.
operation
I’ll learn from my mistakes and work harder next time around.
• 투명성: transparency
2. 저희 회사에 대한 외부 평가를 거울로 삼아 회사
• 신뢰성: credibility
운영의 투명성과 신뢰성을 높이도록 노력합시다.
Let’s take this external evaluation of our company as a • 높이다: to increase
chance to improve transparency and reliability of our
corporate management.

28. 걱정도 팔자다

to worry about nothing
[lit.] Even worrying is one’s fate.
When a person worries about something that is very trivial • 드라마: TV drama
and petty, someone might tease that person by saying 걱정도 • 주인공: main character
팔자예요 (‘Worrying is your fate’).
• 죽다: to die
16 Entry 29: 걱정을 붙들어 매다

1. 가: 드라마 주인공이 죽을까봐 걱정 돼. • ~(으)ㄹ까봐: being

I am worried that the main character in this drama will die. afraid of ~
나: 참, 걱정도 팔자다. 내일 시험이나 걱정해. • 걱정되다: be worried
Boy, you worry about nothing. Why don’t you worry about
• 시험: exam
your exam tomorrow instead?
• 혹시: by any chance
2. 가: 혹시 음식이 모자라면 어떡하죠? 걱정되네요.
• 모자라다: be short of,
What if we run out of food? I am worried.
be not enough
나: 걱정도 팔자라더니 이렇게 많이 준비했는데 무슨
걱정이세요? • 어떡하죠: What shall I/
You are worrying about nothing. You prepared so much we do
food. Why are you worried? • 준비하다: to prepare

29. 걱정을 붙들어 매다

to not worry
[lit.] to chain up (one’s) worry
걱정(을) 붙들어 매다 means ‘to seize and tie (one’s) worry’. • 처음이다: to be the first
This expression is used when telling someone not to worry in (time)
an attempt to assure him or her that there is no need to worry. • 잘 하다: to do well
1. 가: 이 일은 처음인데 제가 잘 할 수 있을까요? • ~(을)까요: Do you
I’ve never done this job before. Do you think I will be think ~
okay? • 쉬운 일: an easy job
나: 걱정 붙들어 매세요. 아주 쉬운 일이에요.
• 애(=아이): a child
Absolutely. Don’t worry; it is a very easy job.
• 돌보다: to look after
2. 가: 우리 애 좀 잘 돌봐 줘.
• 출장: business trip
Please take good care of my child.
나: 걱정 붙들어 매고 출장 잘 다녀와. • 다녀오다: to go and get
You have nothing to worry about. Have a good back
business trip.

30. 경종을 울리다

to give a warning to society; to give a wake-up message to the public
[lit.] to ring the alarm bell
The warning or alarming referred to in this idiom is typically • 폭력: violence
one directed toward society or toward the public over an issue • 왕따: bullying
of public concern.
• 교황: Pope
1. 학교내 폭력과 왕따 문제가 우리 사회에 경종을 • 지구: earth
울리고 있습니다.
• 생태계: ecosystem
The effect of violence and bullying within schools is
giving an alarming message to our society. • 위기: crisis
 Entry 31: 고무신 거꾸로 신다 17

2. 교황은 지구 생태계의 위기에 대해 경종을 울리면서 • 전 세계: the entire

전 세계가 환경보호를 위해 노력할 것을 촉구했다. world
The Pope urged the world to make efforts to protect the • 환경보호: protection of
environment while emphasizing the ecological crisis environment
present on earth.
• 촉구하다: to urge

31. 고무신 거꾸로 신다

to cheat on someone
[lit.] to put on rubber shoes backward
This expression refers to a situation in which a girl dumps • 고무신: rubber shoes
her boyfriend, particularly while he is in the military, which• 거꾸로: backward,
every Korean man has to serve in for two years. 고무신 is the other way round
a style of rubber shoe (black or white) that was popular in
• 신다: to wear, put on
Korea from the 1950s to the 1970s. The expression originated
(shoes, socks)
from describing a woman hurriedly running away from her
boyfriend after getting caught with another man and ending • 장기간: for a long
up wearing her shoes backward. period
Synonym: 바람 피우다 (‘to cheat on’) • 유학: study abroad
1. 남자친구가 장기간 유학을 가는데 고무신 거꾸로 • ~(으)ㄹ까봐 걱정되다:
신을까봐 걱정돼요. be worried about/that ~
My boyfriend is going to study abroad for a long period of • 군복무 중: being in the
time, and I am afraid that he will break up with me. military service
2. 군인들은 군복무 중 여자친구가 고무신 거꾸로 • ~기도 하다: sometimes
신을까봐 걱정하기도 한다. does ~
While serving in the military, soldiers sometimes worry
that their girlfriends will leave them.
18 Entry 32: 고배를 마시다

32. 고배를 마시다

to fail; to suffer a defeat
[lit.] to drink a bitter cup
고배 is a glass of bitter alcohol. • 공무원 시험: civil
service exam
1. 공무원 시험에 두 번 고배를 마신 후 세 번째에
합격했어요. • 선수: athlete, player
After failing the civil service exam twice, I passed the • 출전하다: to participate
exam on my third try. (in a competition)
2. 장 선수는 지난 올림픽에 출전했다가 예선 탈락의 • 예선 탈락: being
고배를 마셨습니다. eliminated in the
Athlete Chang drank a bitter cup of defeat in the last Olympic preliminaries
Games, as he was eliminated in the preliminary round.

33. 고생 끝에 낙이 온다
There will be light at the end of the tunnel.
[lit.] Joy comes after hardship.
<Proverb> This proverb encourages a person who is • 힘들다: be tough
experiencing hardship by saying that happiness or good things • 참다: to endure
will definitely come once difficult times pass.
• 고생: hardship,
1. 가: 하루하루 사는 게 너무 힘드네요. suffering
It’s a daily struggle just to get through the days. • 낙: joy
나: 조금만 더 참읍시다. 고생 끝에 낙이 온다잖아요.
• 끝나다: to end
Let’s hang in there. There will be light at the end of the tunnel.
• 허리 펴고 살다: to live
2. 고생 끝에 낙이 온다는데 언제 이 고생이 다 끝나고 comfortably
허리 펴고 살 수 있을 지 모르겠네요.
They say that happiness comes after hardship, but I don’t
know when I will be able to live a comfortable life.

34. 골 때리다
to be nonsensical; to be ridiculous; to make one feel dumbfounded
[lit.] to hit (one’s) brain/head
<Informal, Slang> While this slang is commonly used • 임대 계약: rental contract
between close friends, it should be avoided in a formal or • 기간: period
polite conversation. It refers to being struck by someone’s
• 집주인: landlord
behavior or utterance that goes beyond common sense.
Synonyms: 어이 없다 (‘to be dumbfounded’), 황당하다 • 골: brain, head
(‘to be absurd’) • 때리다: to hit
1. 임대계약 기간이 아직 안 끝났는데 집주인이 나가라고 • 경우: case, situation
하네요. 이런 골 때리는 경우가 있나요? • 정말: really
My rental contract period is not over yet, but my landlord • 자기: oneself
is asking me to move out. How ridiculous is this?
 Entry 35: 골치를 앓다 19

2. 걔 정말 골 때려. 누가 조금만 잘해 줘도 그 사람이

자기를 좋아하는 줄 알아.
He is so nonsensical. If someone is even a little nice to
him, he thinks the person really likes him.

35. 골치를 앓다
to be troubled; to be worried
[lit.] to suffer from a headache
In this phrase, suffering from a headache is figuratively • 막내 아들: the last/
compared to being troubled by someone or something. youngest son
골머리를 앓다 (‘to suffer from a headache’) and 골머리를 • ~땜에(=~때문에):
썩이다 (‘to vex one’s brains’) may also be used. because of ~
1. 가: 그 집은 막내 아들 땜에 골치를 앓고 있다고 • ~다고
하더라구. 하더라구/ ~다더군: a
I heard that the family is quite troubled by their sentence ending used
youngest son. when talking about what
나: 나도 들었는데 막내 아들이 도박에 빠졌다더군. you heard or learned
I heard that, too. They say he is addicted to gambling. from someone
2. 광주 공항, 무안 공항 등 이용객이 적은 공항들은 적자 • 도박에 빠지다: to fall
문제로 골머리를 앓고 있다. into gambling
The unpopular airports such as Gwangju Airport and Muan • 이용객: users
Airport are suffering from deficits. • 적자문제: deficit
problem

36. 골탕 먹다
to get troubled by someone
[lit.] to eat trouble/loss
골탕(을) 먹다 refers to suffering a loss or trouble by someone • 회사: company
who (intentionally) tricked you. When someone intentionally • ~에 투자하다: to invest
puts someone else through trouble or causes a damage, in ~
골탕(을) 먹이다 is used.
• 잃어버리다: to lose
1. 친구 회사에 투자했다가 돈을 다 잃어버렸어요. 그 • 믿다: to believe, trust
친구 말만 믿었다가 골탕 먹었어요.
• 보석상: jeweler
I invested money in my friend’s company, and now
I am bankrupt. I trusted him and got myself into • 모조품: an imitation, a
trouble. fake
• 바꿔치기 하다: to
2. 저도 그 보석상에서 골탕 먹었어요. 제 다이아몬드를
switch, substitute
모조품으로 바꿔치기 했어요.
That jeweler deceived me as well. He switched my
diamond for a fake.
20 Entry 37: 골탕 먹이다

37. 골탕 먹이다
to put somebody through trouble; to screw somebody over
[lit.] to feed someone trouble/loss
When someone intentionally puts someone else through • 직장 동료: coworker
trouble or causes a damage, 골탕(을) 먹이다 is used. • 회의: meeting,
1. 걔가 나한테 골탕 먹였으니까 나도 걔한테 한번 골탕 conference
먹여야지. • 장소: place
Since he put me through trouble, I am going to put • 바뀌다: to change
him through trouble, too. (something)
2. 직장 동료가 또 저를 골탕 먹였어요. 회의 장소가 바뀐 • 얘기 안 하다: to not tell
것을 저한테만 얘기 안 했더라구요.
My colleague at work screwed me over again. She told
everyone except me that the meeting place had changed.

38. 구렁이 담 넘어 가듯(이)

escaping others’ notice without arousing suspicion; to circumvent
[lit.] like a snake going over a wall
This expression is used when someone tries to avoid giving • 이혼 사유: reason for
a clear answer/explanation or tries to cover up his or her divorce
mistake in order to escape attention or suspicion. • 자세한: detailed
1. 이혼 사유에 대해 나는 자세한 말을 하고 싶지 않아서 • 대답하다: to respond
구렁이 담 넘어 가듯 대답했다. • 시의회: city council
When asked about my divorce, I gave an evasive answer
• 예산안: budget bill
because I didn’t want to tell the details.
• 철저한: thorough
2. 시의회는 예산안에 대해 철저한 심의없이 구렁이 담
• 심의: review,
넘어 가듯 통과시켰다.
deliberation
The city council passed the budget bill deceivingly without
a thorough review of it.

39. 국물도 없다
to be shown no mercy; to be left with nothing
[lit.] to not even get soup
<Informal> Think of a Korean stew or soup filled with meat and • 또 다시: once again
vegetables. ‘Not even a spoonful of soup water will be given’ • 이런 식: this way
means ‘You will be left with nothing’ or ‘You won’t even get a
• 그 땐(=그 때는): that
crumb from me.’ Note that 국물 is pronounced [궁물].
time
1. 또 다시 이런 식으로 하면 그 땐 국물도 없어. 바로 • 해고: layoff, dismissal
해고야.
• 성공하다: to succeed
If you act this way again, then I won’t be so nice about it.
You’ll be fired immediately. • 니가 한 게: what you did
 Entry 40: 국수 먹다 21

2. 일이 성공해도 너한테는 국물도 없어. 니가 한 게 아무 • 아무 것도 없다: There

것도 없잖아. is nothing
Even if we succeed, you won’t be given anything. You
didn’t contribute in any way.

40. 국수 먹다
to hold a wedding
[lit.] to eat noodles
Traditionally, noodles were served to guests at Korean • 국수: noodles
weddings. The long noodles symbolized a long and happy life • 먹게 해 주다: to have
for the bride and groom. someone eat
Synonym: 결혼식을 하다 (‘to hold a wedding ceremony’)
• ~하고 결혼하다: to
1. 언제 국수 먹게 해 줄 거야? marry someone
When are you going to get married? • ~ㄴ다면서요: I heard
2. 수미 씨하고 결혼한다면서요? 언제 국수 먹어요? that ~; Is it true
I heard that you are getting married to Sumi. When is the
big day?

41. 굴뚝같다
to strongly wish to do; to be eager to do
[lit.] like a chimney
This expression is often preceded by ~고 싶은 생각이 or ~고 • ~고 싶다: want to ~
싶은 마음이 (‘the thought of doing ~’). • 굴뚝: chimney
1. 떡볶이 먹고 싶은 맘이 굴뚝같지만 다이어트 중이라 • 생각: thought
참고 있어요. • 마음: mind
I really want to eat ttokbokki but I am resisting my urge
• ~ 중이다: to be in the
because I’m on a diet.
middle of ~
2. 일본 온천으로 여행가고 싶은 생각이 굴뚝같은데 돈이 • 참다: to suppress
없네요.
• 온천: spa
I am so eager to take a trip to the onsen in Japan, but I
don’t have the money. • 여행가다: to take a trip
22 Entry 42: 굴러온 호박

42. 굴러온 호박
an unexpected fortune or gain
[lit.] a pumpkin that rolled over to me
A pumpkin that just happens to roll into you or into your • 오퍼: offer
house is an unexpected fortune you gain. 넝굴째(로) 굴러온 • 거절하다: to decline,
호박 (‘pumpkin vines/runners that rolled over to me’) and reject
호박이 넝쿨째(로) 굴러왔다 (‘Pumpkin vines/runners rolled
• 차다: to kick
over to me’) may also be used.
• 새로 들어오다: to
1. 그 오퍼를 거절했다고? 굴러온 호박을 왜 차니? newly enter
You declined that offer? Why are you kicking away good
• 직원: employee
fortune?
• 좋은 아이디어: good
2. 새로 들어온 직원이 일도 잘하고 좋은 아이디어도 idea
많아요. 넝굴째 굴러온 호박이에요.
• 넝쿨: vines/runners
The new employee is working well and has a lot of good
ideas. I am so fortunate to have her.

43. 굿이나 보고 떡이나 먹으면 된다

One can just watch how it goes with no need to do anything; sit back
and enjoy the ride.
[lit.] All you need to do is watch the performance and eat rice cakes.
<Proverb> 굿 is the ritual performed by a shaman to • 알아서 하다: to do ~
seek welfare and blessing. This proverb means ‘Don’t for oneself
unnecessarily bother intruding into other people’s business, • ~(으)ㄹ테니까: since I
but watch how things go, and gain its benefits.’ That is, you will ~
don’t need to be involved in the matter. Instead, all you need
• 떡: rice cake
to do is to sit and watch how things evolve and take the
benefits from it if there are any. • 싸움: fight
• ~에 끼어들다: to
1. 내가 알아서 다 할 테니까 너는 굿이나 보고 떡이나
meddle in ~
먹으면 돼.
I’ll take care of it, so you don’t need to do anything. Just • ~지 말고 . . . : don’t
sit back and see how it goes. do ~ but do . . .
• 그냥: just
2. 두 그룹의 싸움에 끼어들지 말고 우리는 그냥 굿이나
보고 떡이나 먹죠. 그게 우리한테 유리할 거 같아요. • 유리하다: be
Let us not interfere with the two groups’ argument, advantageous, favorable
but just watch how things go. I think that will be more
advantageous to us.
 Entry 44: 귀가 따갑도록 듣다 23

44. 귀가 따갑도록 듣다
to hear something many times; to be tired of hearing the same thing; to have heard
it a million times
[lit.] to hear it to the extent that one’s ears are sore
The meaning of this idiom is the same as 귀에 못이 • 따갑다: be sore
박히도록 듣다 (‘to hear it many times to the extent it is • 시험 점수: test score
nailed into one’s ears’; see idiom 49). 귀가 따갑게 may be
• 능력: ability
used in place of 귀가 따갑도록.
• 중요하다: be important
1. 영어는 시험 점수가 아니라 실제 커뮤니케이션 능력이
• 노력: effort
중요하다는 말은 아마 귀가 따갑게 들으셨을 겁니다.
You probably heard a million times that when it comes to • 성공: success
English, it is not your test score, but your ability to hold • 비결: secret
conversations that matters. • 들어오다: have been
2. 노력이 성공의 비결이라는 말을 어릴 적부터 귀가 hearing
따갑도록 들어왔어요.
Since I was young, I’ve heard a million times that hard
work is the secret to success.

45. 귀를 의심하다
to be in disbelief; to be unable to believe what was just heard
[lit.] to doubt one’s ears
Use 귀를 의심하다 or 귀를 의심하지 않을 수가 없다 when • 의심하다: to doubt
you cannot believe what you are hearing. • 범인: culprit, criminal
1. 나는 그가 범인이라는 말을 듣고 내 귀를 의심하지 • 이야기: story, talk
않을 수가 없었다. 내가 아는 그는 절대 그럴 사람이 • 도저히: cannot possibly
아니기 때문이다.
• 믿다: to believe
When I heard that he was the culprit, I couldn’t believe
what I was hearing. I never would have thought he could
do such a thing.
2. 나는 그 이야기를 듣고 내 귀를 의심했다. 도저히 믿을
수가 없었다.
When I heard the story, I could hardly believe my ears. I
just couldn’t believe it.
24 Entry 46: 귀신이 곡할 노릇이다

46. 귀신이 곡할 노릇이다

to be strange, mysterious, incomprehensible
[lit.] A ghost is on the verge of wailing.
<Proverb> This proverb is used when something very • 분명: definitely
strange or mysterious happens.곡 is mourning and wailing • ~(으)ㄹ 노릇이다: be
at someone’s death or at a funeral. A ghost mourning and on the verge of doing ~
wailing figuratively means strange or mysterious.
• 여러 개: many pieces/
1. 좀 전에 여기 있던 컵 어디 갔지? 분명 여기 있었는데? items
참, 귀신이 곡할 노릇이네. • 도난 당하다: to have ~
Where did the cup go? I’m certain it was right here a stolen
moment ago. Geez, how strange!
• CCTV: closed-circuit
2. 물건을 여러 개 도난 당했는데 CCTV에는 아무 것도 TV
찍힌 게 없네요. 정말 귀신이 곡할 노릇입니다. • 찍히다: (photo/video)
Many items were stolen, but the surveillance camera is to be taken
showing nothing. How baffling!

47. 귀에 거슬리다
to be offensive to hear
[lit.] to be offensive to one’s ear
거슬리다 means ‘to be unpleasant’ or ‘to be offensive’. • 조언: advice
귀에 거슬리는 말 means words that are harsh to the ear. • 나쁜 뜻: bad intention
1. 부모님의 조언이 듣기 싫고 귀에 거슬릴 때가 있죠. • 말씀: words
There are times when your parents’ advice is unpleasant
and difficult to listen to.
2. 제 말이 귀에 거슬리셨다면 죄송합니다. 나쁜 뜻으로
드린 말씀은 아닙니다.
I apologize if my words offended you. I didn’t mean it in a
bad way.

48. 귀에 들어가다
to be known to somebody
[lit.] to enter one’s ears
The figurative meaning of 귀에 들어가다 is ‘to come to • 소문: rumor
somebody’s knowledge’ or ‘to reach somebody’s ears’. • 전전긍긍하다: be
1. 그는 그 소문이 부모님의 귀에 들어갈까봐 overly nervous, be in
전전긍긍하고 있다. fear
He is so afraid that the rumor will reach his parents’ ears. • 은밀하게: secretly,
confidentially
2. 가: 최 사장 귀에 들어가지 않도록 은밀하게 해야 돼.
Be discreet so that Mr. Choi doesn’t find out.
나: 네, 알겠습니다.
Yes, sir.