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Korean idiom Work to the bone

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Idioms linked to “뼈” · Linked dictionary word

뼈 (가) The part “가” may be omitted. 빠지게

  • Form listed in the dictionary: 뼈(가) 빠지게
  • 뼈가 빠지게
  • 뼈 빠지게

English rendering Work to the bone Literal translation: “Until one's bones fall out”

Meaning 1

오랫동안 육체적 고통을 견디어 내면서 힘겨운 일을 치러 나가는 것을 비유적으로 이르는 말.

Figuratively, endure physical pain for a long time while performing arduous work.

Dictionary example 1

아침부터 저녁까지 뼈가 빠지게 일해도 먹고살기 어려운 시절이 있었다.

There was a time when even working to the bone from morning to night barely sustained life.
동의어 뼈가 휘도록

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Writing text뼈 빠지게

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Related idioms

The Standard Korean Language Dictionary links these idioms as similar expressions.

Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈가 휘도록”: Figuratively, perform strenuous work while enduring physical suffering for a long time Shared · 2 Through backbreaking hardship Figuratively, perform strenuous work while enduring physical suffering for a long time

These idioms are linked to the same word, “뼈”, in the Standard Korean Language Dictionary.

View all 13 idioms
Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈도 못 추리다”: Be so outmatched in a fight that one suffers only losses with nothing left, as though not even bones could be gathered after death. Be utterly crushed Be so outmatched in a fight that one suffers only losses with nothing left, as though not even bones could be gathered after death. Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈를 긁어내다”: For emotional pain or the like to be extremely intense. suffer searing inner pain For emotional pain or the like to be extremely intense. Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈를 깎다”: Be so painful that it is extremely hard to endure Suffer excruciating pain Be so painful that it is extremely hard to endure Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈를 묻다”: Devote oneself to a group or organization for life. Devote one's life to an organization Devote oneself to a group or organization for life. Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈만 남다”: To become excessively thin through lack of food or severe illness. Shared · 2 be skin and bones To become excessively thin through lack of food or severe illness. Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈만 앙상하다”: Become excessively thin through hunger, severe illness, or the like Shared · 2 Be skin and bones Become excessively thin through hunger, severe illness, or the like Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈에 사무치다”: Of resentment, pain, or the like, be so deep and intense as to penetrate the bones. Pierce to the bone Of resentment, pain, or the like, be so deep and intense as to penetrate the bones. Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈에 새기다”: An emphatic expression for remembering something firmly in one’s heart so it is not forgotten. Shared · 4 engrave deeply in one’s heart An emphatic expression for remembering something firmly in one’s heart so it is not forgotten. Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈와 살로 만들다”: Turn experience, ideas, theories, or the like into one’s firm convictions Make something part of oneself Turn experience, ideas, theories, or the like into one’s firm convictions Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈와 살이 되다”: Be mentally or spiritually helpful. Be spiritually nourishing Be mentally or spiritually helpful.

Other idioms linked to the same spot on the map.

View all 33 idioms
Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈다귀를 녹이다”: Make someone feel enchanted 2 meanings Make someone melt Make someone feel enchanted Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈대가 굵어지다”: Grow to adulthood. Grow into adulthood Grow to adulthood. Illustration of the first meaning of “뼈대가 있다”: Have distinguished family lineage 2 meanings Have good lineage or firm principles Have distinguished family lineage Illustration of the first meaning of “뼛골에 사무치다”: An emphatic expression for resentment, pain, or the like being so deep and strong that it seems to penetrate one’s bones Shared · 2 Cut to the very marrow An emphatic expression for resentment, pain, or the like being so deep and strong that it seems to penetrate one’s bones Illustration of the first meaning of “뼛골을 빼다”: Exhaust someone’s vitality and leave them without strength Drain one’s strength Exhaust someone’s vitality and leave them without strength Illustration of the first meaning of “뼛골이 빠지다”: Perform extremely strenuous physical work. Work oneself to exhaustion Perform extremely strenuous physical work. Illustration of the first meaning of “뼛골이 아프다”: To suffer so much that even the insides of one’s bones hurt. suffer to the marrow To suffer so much that even the insides of one’s bones hurt. Illustration of the first meaning of “잔뼈가 굵다”: Become familiar with work through spending a long time in a particular place or workplace. Have long experience Become familiar with work through spending a long time in a particular place or workplace. Illustration of the first meaning of “잔뼈가 굵어지다”: To grow up in a particular place from childhood. 3 meanings grow up or come of age To grow up in a particular place from childhood. Illustration of the first meaning of “해골을 빌다”: For an elderly courtier to ask the king for permission to relinquish office and retire. petition for retirement For an elderly courtier to ask the king for permission to relinquish office and retire.

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“뼈가 빠지게” — Work to the bone: Figuratively, endure physical pain for a long time while performing arduous work.
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