मतलब
To restrict or impede someone's actions or progress.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Korea, 'tying the ankles' is often associated with the 'Sandwich Generation'—those who are tied down by the dual responsibility of caring for aging parents and young children. The phrase is frequently used in business to describe 'Red Tape' (규제). It reflects a societal frustration with bureaucratic hurdles that slow down the 'Pali-pali' (fast) progress. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this phrase saw a massive spike in usage in Korean media to describe the global paralysis of travel. Historically, the phrase alludes to the physical tethering of livestock, a common sight in traditional Korean farming villages (Nong-chon).
Passive is King
You will hear '발목이 묶였다' (My ankles were tied) much more often than the active form in daily life.
Not for Shoes
Never use this to mean you are tying your shoelaces. Use '신발끈을 매다/묶다' instead.
मतलब
To restrict or impede someone's actions or progress.
Passive is King
You will hear '발목이 묶였다' (My ankles were tied) much more often than the active form in daily life.
Not for Shoes
Never use this to mean you are tying your shoelaces. Use '신발끈을 매다/묶다' instead.
News Reading
When reading Korean business news, look for this phrase to identify the 'bottleneck' or 'obstacle' in a story.
Empathy
Using this phrase shows you understand the frustration of being stuck, which is a very relatable feeling in high-pressure Korean society.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '발목을 묶다'.
갑작스러운 폭설이 공항 이용객들의 ( ) 고립시켰다.
The snow (subject) is doing the action to the travelers (object), so the active form '발목을 묶어' is correct.
Which sentence uses the idiom naturally?
Choose the most natural sentence.
This correctly uses the idiom to describe a financial restriction preventing progress.
Complete the dialogue.
가: 왜 어제 파티에 안 왔어? 나: 미안, 갑자기 회사에 일이 생겨서 ( ).
The speaker was stranded/stuck at work, so the passive form '발목이 묶이다' is most natural.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Which situation best fits '발목을 묶다'?
A typhoon causing a flight cancellation is a classic external force that 'ties the ankles' of travelers.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
묶다 (Tie) vs. 잡다 (Grab)
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यास갑작스러운 폭설이 공항 이용객들의 ( ) 고립시켰다.
The snow (subject) is doing the action to the travelers (object), so the active form '발목을 묶어' is correct.
Choose the most natural sentence.
This correctly uses the idiom to describe a financial restriction preventing progress.
가: 왜 어제 파티에 안 왔어? 나: 미안, 갑자기 회사에 일이 생겨서 ( ).
The speaker was stranded/stuck at work, so the passive form '발목이 묶이다' is most natural.
Which situation best fits '발목을 묶다'?
A typhoon causing a flight cancellation is a classic external force that 'ties the ankles' of travelers.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालLiterally, yes, but it sounds like a kidnapping scenario. Figuratively, it's much more common.
Not at all. It's a neutral idiom used in news, business, and casual talk.
Almost none. '발목' (ankle) is slightly more descriptive, but '발을 묶다' is also very common.
Yes, if the jam is long enough to make you feel 'stuck' or 'stranded'.
Yes, often in ballads to describe being unable to leave a past love.
Yes, it always implies a restriction that is unwanted or inconvenient.
아이들 때문에 {발목|足頸}이 묶였어요.
Yes, '계약이 내 {발목|足頸}을 묶고 있다' is a very natural sentence.
There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but '족쇄를 풀다' (to undo the shackles) is close.
Yes, to describe a challenge you faced, e.g., '자금 부족이 제 {발목|足頸}을 묶었지만...'
संबंधित मुहावरे
발목을 잡다
similarTo hold someone back / to sabotage
발을 묶다
synonymTo tie the feet
손발을 묶다
specialized formTo tie hands and feet
발이 묶이다
synonymTo have one's feet tied
꼼짝 못 하게 하다
similarTo make someone unable to budge
