English rendering be worse off for trying Literal translation: “fail even to recover the stake”
For the result of one’s work to be worse than doing nothing, rather than good.
Dictionary example 1
나는 괜히 서투른 솜씨에 도와준다고 달려들었다가 본전도 못 찾고 욕만 먹었다.
Read the meanings, trace, then cover above the masking line and write. Uncover, choose a meaning, and make your own sentence.
Writing text본전도 못 찾다
Explore the body parts or scenes linked to this idiom.
A silent film that writes the headword and its meaning.
Lend money to several people Provide loans to several people. 
lend at interest To lend money on the understanding that interest will be paid. 
2 meanings Pay for work; let out for rent Pay someone to do work. 
Match the going price For a price to match the current market price 
Give a bribe Vulgarly, give a bribe 
borrow at exorbitant seasonal interest To borrow money or grain at high seasonal interest and use it. 
2 meanings Join a contribution or conversation Join others in contributing shares 
Take a gambling-house cut Organize a gambling game and take a portion from those who win money 
Estimate a purchase price Estimate the price of something one wishes to buy 
Reach an acceptable price In bargaining, reach a price suitable for buying or selling. Browse in Hangul order.
WORDROW Korean Idioms