WORDROW Korean Idioms
한국어

Idioms under “ㅂ” — 393 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.

Illustration of the first meaning of “번을 나다”: Come out after completing one’s turn on duty Finish one’s shift Come out after completing one’s turn on duty Illustration of the first meaning of “번을 나들다”: Go into and out of the place where one takes one's watch in rotation. 2 meanings Go in and out on shifts Go into and out of the place where one takes one's watch in rotation. Illustration of the first meaning of “번을 들다”: To go to the place of duty when one’s turn comes. come on duty To go to the place of duty when one’s turn comes. Illustration of the first meaning of “번지수가 틀리다”: Fail to fit a matter, or mistakenly target something irrelevant Get the wrong address Fail to fit a matter, or mistakenly target something irrelevant Illustration of the first meaning of “번지수를 잘못 찾다”: Misjudge something and proceed in a completely wrong direction. Go completely off track Misjudge something and proceed in a completely wrong direction. Illustration of the first meaning of “벌건 거짓말”: A lie so preposterous that it is plainly exposed Shared · 5 A blatant lie A lie so preposterous that it is plainly exposed Illustration of the first meaning of “벌건 상놈”: An absolute boor beyond the need for further description. Shared · 4 An utter boor An absolute boor beyond the need for further description. Illustration of the first meaning of “벌리나 오므리나”: Whether done this way or that way. Whichever way one does it Whether done this way or that way. Illustration of the first meaning of “벌린 입을 다물지 못하다”: To be extremely impressed or dumbfounded. 2 meanings be left open-mouthed or unable to stop talking To be extremely impressed or dumbfounded. Illustration of the first meaning of “벌여 놓은 굿판”: An expression for work that cannot be abandoned midway because it has already begun. a commitment already begun An expression for work that cannot be abandoned midway because it has already begun. Illustration of the first meaning of “벌을 씌우다”: Make someone undergo punishment Inflict punishment Make someone undergo punishment Illustration of the first meaning of “벌이줄을 잡다”: To attach bridle strings to a kite. attach a kite’s bridle To attach bridle strings to a kite. Illustration of the first meaning of “벌집 쑤시어 놓은 것 같다”: Figuratively, be in complete disorder and confusion, like bees swarming out to sting after their hive is disturbed. Shared · 2 Be in utter turmoil Figuratively, be in complete disorder and confusion, like bees swarming out to sting after their hive is disturbed. Illustration of the first meaning of “벌집을 건드리다”: To needlessly touch what should be left alone and cause serious trouble. stir up a hornet’s nest To needlessly touch what should be left alone and cause serious trouble. Illustration of the first meaning of “벌통 쑤신 것 같다”: Figuratively, be extremely chaotic and disorderly, like bees swarming out to sting when their hive is disturbed Shared · 2 Be in an uproar Figuratively, be extremely chaotic and disorderly, like bees swarming out to sting when their hive is disturbed Illustration of the first meaning of “범의 아가리”: Figuratively, an extremely dangerous situation A perilous situation Figuratively, an extremely dangerous situation Illustration of the first meaning of “범의 아가리를 벗어나다”: Escape a very urgent danger. Escape extreme danger Escape a very urgent danger. Illustration of the first meaning of “범의 어금니”: Something extremely useful that cannot be dispensed with. an indispensable resource Something extremely useful that cannot be dispensed with. Illustration of the first meaning of “범의 차반”: Literally, a tiger’s prey; figuratively, spend whatever one gets without thought of saving, since a tiger feasts when food is available and goes hungry when it is not Spend everything as it comes Literally, a tiger’s prey; figuratively, spend whatever one gets without thought of saving, since a tiger feasts when food is available and goes hungry when it is not Illustration of the first meaning of “범한테 쫓긴 사람”: Someone so badly shaken by something that they are afraid and hurry anxiously or cannot sit still. A frightened, frantic person Someone so badly shaken by something that they are afraid and hurry anxiously or cannot sit still. Illustration of the first meaning of “법 없이 살다”: Be so upright and kind that one would do no wrong even without legal restraints. Be law-abiding by nature Be so upright and kind that one would do no wrong even without legal restraints. Illustration of the first meaning of “법석이 일다”: A noisy disturbance occurs. An uproar breaks out A noisy disturbance occurs. Illustration of the first meaning of “벗바리가 좋다”: Have many people providing backing Have powerful backing Have many people providing backing Illustration of the first meaning of “베개를 높이 베다”: Sleep soundly in peace of mind or live carefree. Shared · 3 Sleep or live without worry Sleep soundly in peace of mind or live carefree. Illustration of the first meaning of “베이스를 넣다”: Support another’s words from beside them Back up someone’s words Support another’s words from beside them Illustration of the first meaning of “베틀에 북 나들듯”: Figuratively, go in and out rapidly and frequently. Shared · 2 Come and go rapidly Figuratively, go in and out rapidly and frequently. Illustration of the first meaning of “벼락 맞을 소리”: Absurd words deserving punishment from heaven. words deserving divine punishment Absurd words deserving punishment from heaven. Illustration of the first meaning of “벼락 치듯”: Extremely quickly 2 meanings Like lightning Extremely quickly Illustration of the first meaning of “벼락불 치듯”: An expression for striking very quickly or forcefully. strike like lightning An expression for striking very quickly or forcefully. Illustration of the first meaning of “벼락을 맞다”: Receive a severe punishment for very wicked acts 2 meanings Receive harsh punishment or scolding Receive a severe punishment for very wicked acts Illustration of the first meaning of “벼락이 내리다”: Have a great calamity occur. 2 meanings Suffer calamity or a severe scolding Have a great calamity occur. Illustration of the first meaning of “벼랑에 몰리다”: Come to face a dangerous situation Shared · 2 Be driven to the brink Come to face a dangerous situation Illustration of the first meaning of “벼랑에 서다”: Come to face a dangerous situation. Shared · 2 Face a crisis Come to face a dangerous situation. Illustration of the first meaning of “벼룩의 불알만 하다”: To be very small. be tiny To be very small. Illustration of the first meaning of “벼슬길에 오르다”: Begin serving as an official Enter official service Begin serving as an official Illustration of the first meaning of “벽에 부딪치다”: To be blocked by an obstacle. hit a wall To be blocked by an obstacle. Illustration of the first meaning of “벽을 쌓다”: End a previously friendly relationship. Cut off a relationship End a previously friendly relationship. Illustration of the first meaning of “벽을 안다”: Place both hands against a wall 2 meanings Brace against or face a wall Place both hands against a wall Illustration of the first meaning of “변덕이 죽 끓듯 하다”: Change one’s words or behavior back and forth excessively Be wildly fickle Change one’s words or behavior back and forth excessively Illustration of the first meaning of “변두를 놓다”: Apply acupuncture to cure a migraine Treat migraine with acupuncture Apply acupuncture to cure a migraine Illustration of the first meaning of “변두를 맞다”: Receive acupuncture to treat migraine. Receive migraine acupuncture Receive acupuncture to treat migraine. Illustration of the first meaning of “변죽 치고 넘다”: For an arrow to strike the target’s rim and bounce away Glance off the target rim For an arrow to strike the target’s rim and bounce away Illustration of the first meaning of “변죽을 울리다”: Speak indirectly rather than plainly identifying the point. Shared · 2 Beat around the bush Speak indirectly rather than plainly identifying the point. Illustration of the first meaning of “변죽을 치다”: To speak indirectly rather than identify something directly. 2 meanings Shared · 2 beat around the bush To speak indirectly rather than identify something directly. Illustration of the first meaning of “별 겯듯”: Like stars densely studding the sky. Densely like stars Like stars densely studding the sky. Illustration of the first meaning of “별 볼 일 없다”: To be insignificant and unimpressive. be nothing special To be insignificant and unimpressive. Illustration of the first meaning of “별 볼 일 있다”: Be distinct from the ordinary Make a real difference Be distinct from the ordinary Illustration of the first meaning of “별이 보이다”: To become suddenly dazed and dizzy from a shock. see stars To become suddenly dazed and dizzy from a shock. Illustration of the first meaning of “병나발을 불다”: Tilt a bottle to one's mouth like a trumpet and gulp down its contents. Drink straight from the bottle Tilt a bottle to one's mouth like a trumpet and gulp down its contents. Illustration of the first meaning of “병신이 육갑하다”: For a worthless person to behave absurdly A fool acting absurdly For a worthless person to behave absurdly Illustration of the first meaning of “병아리 눈물만큼”: Figuratively, a very small quantity. A tiny amount Figuratively, a very small quantity. Illustration of the first meaning of “병아리 오줌”: A figurative expression for a person who is mentally dull and stuffy. a dull, stuffy person A figurative expression for a person who is mentally dull and stuffy. Illustration of the first meaning of “병아리를 본 솔개”: Figuratively, someone watching for the chance to obtain an awaited moment or object, like a kite eyeing a chick Someone poised to seize an opportunity Figuratively, someone watching for the chance to obtain an awaited moment or object, like a kite eyeing a chick Illustration of the first meaning of “병자년 방죽이다”: Another expression for being conceited or looking down on others. In the byeongja year, 1876, the thirteenth year of King Gojong's reign in Joseon, severe drought dried up reservoirs, called geon-bangjuk, “dry reservoirs”; the expression arose because this sounded like geonbangjida, “be conceited.” Be conceited Another expression for being conceited or looking down on others. In the byeongja year, 1876, the thirteenth year of King Gojong's reign in Joseon, severe drought dried up reservoirs, called geon-bangjuk, “dry reservoirs”; the expression arose because this sounded like geonbangjida, “be conceited.” Illustration of the first meaning of “보금자리를 치다”: Build a nest 2 meanings Shared · 2 Make a nest or den Build a nest Illustration of the first meaning of “보기 좋게”: A sarcastic expression of satisfaction at another person’s setback Just as one deserved A sarcastic expression of satisfaction at another person’s setback Illustration of the first meaning of “보는 눈이 있다”: Have the ability to assess people, matters, or the like. Have good judgment Have the ability to assess people, matters, or the like. Illustration of the first meaning of “보따리를 싸다”: Completely quit a job or matter one was involved in. Quit entirely Completely quit a job or matter one was involved in. Illustration of the first meaning of “보따리를 풀다”: To expose hidden facts. 2 meanings unpack one’s secrets or plans To expose hidden facts. Illustration of the first meaning of “보란 듯이”: Proudly or confidently so that others see and envy one. proudly for all to see Proudly or confidently so that others see and envy one.