WORDROW Korean Idioms Idioms under “ㄷ” — 329 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.
2 meanings Shared · 2 Cling and plead Clutch with both hands and hang on, unwilling to let go 
2 meanings Shared · 2 Cling tightly; plead persistently Grasp with both hands, hang on, and try not to let go. 
Shared · 3 the reason is simply There is no other reason than this. 
None other than Precisely this, rather than something else. 
Shared · 3 The reason is simply this There is no other reason 
Shared · 2 have lucky timing for a meal To be fortunate enough to happen upon a meal and get to eat. 
Be flawed or lowborn Have a flaw or be of low social status 
Pass through intermediaries For words, objects, or the like to pass from one person to another through an intermediary 
Act as a go-between Connect two or more parties to help a matter go well. 
Be forestalled Be deprived of the chance to act beforehand 
Shared · 3 Sleep without worries Sleep comfortably with peace of mind. 
restore a connection To reestablish a broken relationship so that communication resumes. 
Shared · 4 Run for dear life Flee extremely urgently with all one's strength. 
2 meanings Do a great deal of walking; walk for pay Walk a great deal. 
2 meanings take a careful measure To aim at something and examine it. 
Wear out one's legs walking Have one's legs become extremely tired from walking a great deal. 
In other words To explain what was said before. 
in other words Explaining what was said before. 
Demand a firm promise Forcefully demand a firm assurance. 
make a firm resolution To give a firm assurance so there is no uncertainty. 
Endure something barely bearable Describe enduring something extremely hard to bear. 
Face execution or judgment Come to be executed or judged for crimes one has committed 
Be executed Be put to death on a scaffold. 
die helplessly A figurative expression for dying as though fading away helplessly. 
Pester insistently Cling to someone and pester them intensely 
experience life’s ups and downs To experience all of life’s good, bad, pleasant, and painful events. 
Offer no reaction Show no response at all 
do something absurdly out of place A reproachful expression for doing something inappropriate to the occasion. 
have the impure month pass For the month considered ritually impure because someone died to pass. 
Reach the due month Reach the month in which one is due to give birth 
Shrink back timidly Figuratively, flinch and lose one's confidence when rebuked or afraid. 
keep one’s mouth firmly shut Figuratively, to keep one’s mouth firmly closed and seldom speak. 
Work for a monthly wage Work on the agreement of receiving wages after a month's work. 
Skim things without understanding Figuratively, the manner of passing over any matter perfunctorily without knowing its substance 
Write or draw clumsily Figuratively, describe extremely unskilled, awkward writing or drawing. 
fight like chickens A figurative expression for fighting by taking turns striking one another without being able to threaten forcefully. 
Large teardrops Figuratively, very large teardrops. 
Be scattered in disorder Figuratively, be scattered about in extreme disorder 
Become worldly and crafty Become thoroughly crafty through the trials of worldly affairs 
Commit theft Steal 
Cut off a friendly relationship End a previously friendly relationship. 
2 meanings Cut off contact End a previously friendly relationship. 
have a painful muscle spasm To feel sharp recurring pain or stiffness in part of the body due to a condition traditionally attributed to phlegm. 
Be a deeply frustrating affair Literally, as frustrating as a lawsuit that is not soon resolved; describe an extremely frustrating matter 
Have no solution in sight Have no solution prepared or coming to mind. 
Rush in recklessly Rush in without order or restraint. 
Filthy old clothes Figuratively, shabby, dirty old clothes. 
Give up an undertaking Abandon and give up the work one was doing 
Start an enterprise Start or prepare to start something. 
2 meanings drop anchor or settle To let out the anchor rope and put the anchor into the water. 
Shared · 4 begin thinking like an adult A coarse expression for coming to think or judge like an adult. 
Shared · 4 be empty-headed A coarse expression for lacking judgment or insight. 
Shared · 4 Grow up A vulgar expression for coming to think or judge like an adult 
Fight violently Fight with extremely severe blows and beatings 
Shared · 2 Use one's damned head A vulgar expression for using one's mind to devise a solution. 
Attack with all one's strength Charge with all one's strength. 
Shared · 5 be wet behind the ears A coarse expression for being far from adulthood or young. 
Shared · 5 Still be a mere youngster A vulgar expression for still being young or a long way from adulthood 
let out a piercing cry To let out an exceptionally shrill sound. 
By whatever means necessary By contriving some means, whatever it takes