WORDROW Korean Idioms

Shared illustrations

298 idiom groups

These idioms share illustrations because one scene can help explain their meanings. Sharing an illustration does not mean the idioms have the same meaning. Compare their definitions and examples.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

build up one’s nerve (간덩이를 키우다) Colloquially, to increase one’s courage and magnanimity. Build up one’s nerve (간땡이를 키우다) Vulgarly, increase one’s courage and generosity of spirit

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

barely make a dent in one’s hunger (간에 기별도 안 가다) For the amount eaten to be so small that it is as good as eating nothing. Be insufficient or unsatisfying (간에 차지 않다) Have eaten so little that it is as if one had eaten nothing

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

charm or torment (간을 녹이다) To win someone’s favor through honeyed words, flattery, or coquettish behavior. charm or torment (간장을 녹이다) To win someone’s favor through honeyed words, flattery, or coquettish behavior.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Melt with delight or anxiety (간이 녹다) Feel more than ordinarily delighted because something pleases one be charmed or tormented (간장이 녹다) To feel more than ordinarily delighted because one likes something.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

tremble with fear (간이 떨리다) To feel extremely frightened inwardly. Tremble inwardly with fear (속이 떨리다) Feel extreme fear inwardly

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Become terrified (간이 오그라들다) Become extremely afraid or frightened Be scared stiff (간이 콩알만 해지다) Become extremely afraid or frightened

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Be heartbroken (간장을 끊다) Be terribly distressed or sad. be heartbroken (창자를 끊다) To feel extreme anguish or sorrow.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Be overwhelmed by grief or anger (간장이 끊어지다) Find sorrow, anger, or the like so great that it is difficult to endure. Be torn by overwhelming emotion (창자가 끊어지다) Find grief, anger, or the like so great that it is hard to bear

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

have a long way to go (갈 길이 멀다) To have many things still left to do. have a long way ahead (앞길이 멀다) To have many tasks still remaining.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Scatter all at once (거미 새끼 풍기듯) Figuratively, many people or objects scatter simultaneously, like newly hatched spiders dispersing. scatter all at once (거미 새끼 흩어지듯) A figurative expression for many people or objects dispersing at once, like newly hatched baby spiders scattering.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Take the first steps (걸음마를 떼다) Begin a task or business for the first time. Take one's first steps (첫걸음마를 떼다) Begin a task or business for the first time.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Lead someone’s horse (경마를 들다) Hold the reins and lead a horse ridden by another person Lead someone's horse (경마를 잡다) Hold and lead the reins of a horse someone else is riding.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Turn one's attention elsewhere (곁눈을 뜨다) Show interest elsewhere instead of attending to what requires attention. Let one’s attention wander (곁눈을 팔다) Show interest elsewhere instead of attending to what requires attention

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Feel moved to reverence (고개가 수그러지다) Feel respect arise feel compelled to bow in respect (머리가 수그러지다) To feel respect arise.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

tilt one’s head in hesitation or doubt (고개를 꼬다) To turn one’s head this way and that while hesitating and considering various possibilities. be of two minds (두 동이 싸다) To hesitate between alternatives without a firm decision.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Taste bitter defeat (고배를 들다) Suffer a bitter experience such as defeat or failure Taste bitter failure (쓴잔을 들다) Suffer something painful such as failure or defeat

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

be wild or unrestrained (고삐 놓은 말) An expression for a person who behaves wildly. be wild or unrestrained (굴레 벗은 말) An expression for a person who behaves wildly.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

A child's soft little hands (고사리 같은 손) Figuratively, a young child's tender, plump hands. a child’s soft, chubby hands (고사리밥 같은 손) A figurative expression for a young child’s delicate, plump hands.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Exploit mercilessly (고혈을 짜다) Exploit or exact payments harshly. Exploit harshly (피땀을 짜다) Exploit or exact payments cruelly.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Rack one's brains (골머리를 썩이다) Strain greatly over something and become absorbed in thought. rack one’s brains (머리를 썩이다) To agonize over something and become absorbed in thought.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

rack one’s brains (골머리를 앓다) To think so intensely that one’s head aches because one does not know what to do. Agonize over a problem (골치를 앓다) Think intensely, to the point of a headache, because one does not know what to do

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Cut to the marrow (골수에 사무치다) An emphatic expression for resentment, pain, or the like being so deep and strong that it seems to penetrate one’s bones Cut to the very marrow (뼛골에 사무치다) An emphatic expression for resentment, pain, or the like being so deep and strong that it seems to penetrate one’s bones

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Become angry (골이 오르다) Feel anger welling up. Become enraged (화가 뜨다) Feel indignation well up from anger.

Illustration shared by 2 Korean idioms

2 idioms share this illustration

Threaten someone (공갈을 놓다) Vulgarly, intimidate someone into feeling fear Threaten someone (공갈을 때리다) Slang: intimidate someone into feeling fear.