WORDROW Korean Idioms Idioms under “ㄱ” — 699 idioms
Browse idioms by the initial consonant of the first Korean syllable, in Hangul order. On this site, ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ, and ㅉ are grouped under ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ, and ㅈ, respectively.
Fall headfirst Fall with one’s head toward the ground 
3 meanings become impoverished or scarce To become poor. 
Sink deeper into poverty Become increasingly poor 
3 meanings Shared · 2 Take aim; assess; check a scale Aim at a target. 
3 meanings Shared · 2 take aim or assess To aim at a target. 
Be able to gauge Be able to make or arrive at a guess or assessment 
Shared · 2 settle on a course To put an atmosphere, situation, thought, or the like in order according to reason or logic. 
Shared · 2 Take a coherent direction For an atmosphere, situation, thought, or the like to become ordered according to reason or logic 
Shared · 2 Be unable to move Become unable to leave a place or move. 
Control one’s yut throws When playing yut, throw the sticks skillfully so they land face down or face up as desired 
2 meanings Begin a performance; play music Perform the first movement of an entertaining activity. 
2 meanings Follow or pick up a tune Play along with a tune. 
gain momentum at work For energy or efficiency at work to increase. 
2 meanings Be in step Have movements or beats harmonize well 
2 meanings Shared · 2 be desperately poor or overstretched A figurative expression for living in extreme poverty. 
Satisfy every need Figuratively, know exactly what another person needs and thoroughly satisfy that desire. 
jump about wildly To leap about wildly, overwhelmed by emotion. 
It makes no difference either way An expression likening a situation that is the same whichever way it turns out to carrying a load on one’s back, whether crosswise or lengthwise. 
2 meanings obstruct or demand a cut To prevent something going well from succeeding. 
Flatter someone into overlooking things Praise someone plausibly to gloss over or deceive them 
unmask To reveal an identity concealed behind a false front. 
Shared · 2 Drop the mask Abandon a falsely assumed appearance and reveal one’s true identity 
Hide one's true intentions Conceal one's true intentions and outwardly pretend otherwise. 
Disgrace the family Tarnish the honor of one’s household or clan 
Have extensive education Have studied much and attained a high educational level. 
have little formal education To have low educational attainment from not having had much schooling. 
Put on arrogant airs Adopt an arrogant, affected attitude. 
2 meanings act slyly or fuss about To behave frivolously in a sly, disagreeable manner. 
be scarred with sorrow For bitter pain and harsh sorrow to become indelibly lodged in one’s heart. 
Feel passion flare Have one’s emotions intensify 
Take deeply to heart Remember firmly in one's heart so as not to forget. 
consult one’s conscience To base oneself on conscience. 
Harbor malice Form a cruel intent or vicious thought toward another person 
Be deeply scarred emotionally An emphatic expression for indelible bitter pain and harsh sorrow lodged in one's heart. 
tear at someone’s heart To cause emotional pain. 
Set hearts fluttering Make someone feel excited or fluttery 
Act with burning passion Act with intense, surging motivation or momentum. 
Suffer heartache Feel mental pain through anxious fretting 
Shared · 5 open one’s heart To reveal or receive one’s innermost feelings. 
Cause a piercing ache Cause pain as though cutting the chest with a knife, from very profound and intense thoughts or feelings. 
Suffer crushing heartache Experience extremely severe emotional pain 
Break someone's heart Cause pain as though the chest were being torn through sorrow or resentment. 
Shared · 2 strike one’s heart To receive a great emotional shock. 
Fret desperately Worry intensely 
Stand proud Be confident with no need to bow. 
Shared · 5 bare one’s heart To reveal all one’s thoughts or words without reserve. 
Be broad-minded Be very understanding. 
have one’s heart pound For one’s heart to beat extremely forcefully. 
Be deeply moved with gratitude Be deeply moved with gratitude after receiving profound love and care 
Feel a sudden pang Be suddenly startled or conscience-stricken by a stimulus. 
be overwhelmed with joy To have one’s heart filled with great joy or emotion. 
Have a heavy heart Have one’s spirits sink through sorrow or worry 
Be emotionally devastated Receive such a severe shock that one struggles to compose oneself. 
2 meanings Shared · 3 have one’s heart burst To become unbearably filled with sorrow or pain. 
Have one’s heart pound Have one’s heart beat extremely fast 
Feel a chill of fear Feel chilled as though a cold wind were blowing inside through fear. 
have one’s heart burned out by worry A figurative expression for anxiety distressing one’s heart to the utmost. 
Ache with pity Feel a stabbing ache in one’s heart from great pity or compassion 
Be narrow-minded Lack understanding. 
Feel a stab of conscience Suffer severe pangs of conscience