발을 빼다
bareul ppaeda
To back out
Literally: 발 (foot) + 을 (object marker) + 빼다 (to pull out/remove)
In 15 Seconds
- To withdraw or back out of a commitment or situation.
- Metaphorically pulling your foot out of a messy or deep involvement.
- Can be used for business, relationships, or social group projects.
Meaning
This phrase is used when you decide to quit or pull out of a project, relationship, or commitment. It's like you were standing in a puddle or a trap and you've finally lifted your foot out to walk away.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a failing business venture
상황이 안 좋아서 저는 이 사업에서 발을 뺐어요.
The situation was bad, so I backed out of this business.
Texting a friend about a group blind date
나 그 미팅에서 발 뺄래. 분위기가 별로야.
I'm gonna back out of that group date. The vibe is off.
A boss warning an employee not to quit mid-project
이제 와서 발을 빼면 어떡합니까?
What do you mean you're backing out now?
Cultural Background
This idiom reflects the importance of 'involvement' in Korean social structures. Historically, being part of a group meant total commitment, so 'pulling a foot out' was a significant and sometimes controversial move. Today, it is a common way to describe professional boundaries in Korea's fast-paced society.
The 'Muddy' Nuance
Think of this phrase as pulling your foot out of mud. It implies the situation was getting sticky or messy, and you're escaping before you get stuck.
Don't Sound Irresponsible
If you use this too often regarding small favors, people might think you are unreliable. Use it for significant 'withdrawals' rather than just being late.
In 15 Seconds
- To withdraw or back out of a commitment or situation.
- Metaphorically pulling your foot out of a messy or deep involvement.
- Can be used for business, relationships, or social group projects.
What It Means
Imagine you are stepping into a situation. You are involved. You are 'in' it. To 발을 빼다 means you are physically removing your presence from that commitment. It implies you are disconnecting yourself. It often suggests you are leaving before things get too messy or difficult. You are essentially saying, "I'm out."
How To Use It
You use this when you want to stop being part of something. It works for big life choices or small social plans. You can use it as a verb phrase. For example, 이제 그만 발을 빼려고 해 (I'm trying to back out now). It sounds very natural in conversation. It is punchy and visual. Use it when the involvement is ending.
When To Use It
Use it when a business deal feels shady. Use it when a group project is failing. Use it when you realize a hobby isn't for you. It’s perfect for texting a friend about a drama-filled group chat. It works well in professional settings too. It describes a strategic withdrawal. If a friend asks you to join a risky startup, use this. Tell them you need to 발을 빼다 before you lose money.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for simple physical movements. If you are literally taking your foot out of a shoe, don't use this idiom. Use it for metaphorical involvement only. Also, avoid using it if you are being fired. It implies you are the one choosing to leave. If someone kicks you out, you didn't pull your foot out. They pushed you out! Don't use it for small, polite exits like leaving a party early.
Cultural Background
Korean culture values group harmony and collective responsibility. Because of this, 발을 빼다 can sometimes carry a slight nuance of being selfish. You might be seen as leaving others behind to handle the mess. However, in modern Korea, it is also seen as being smart. It shows you know your limits. It reflects a shift toward individual boundaries. People use it to protect their time and energy.
Common Variations
Sometimes you'll hear 손을 떼다 (to take one's hands off). This is very similar but feels more like finishing a task. 발을 빼다 feels more like escaping a situation. You might also hear 발을 담그다 (to dip one's foot in). This is the opposite. It means you are just starting to get involved. Use these together to show the full cycle of a project.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile across all formality levels. Just remember to add the appropriate polite endings like `-어요` or `-습니다` when speaking to superiors.
The 'Muddy' Nuance
Think of this phrase as pulling your foot out of mud. It implies the situation was getting sticky or messy, and you're escaping before you get stuck.
Don't Sound Irresponsible
If you use this too often regarding small favors, people might think you are unreliable. Use it for significant 'withdrawals' rather than just being late.
The Opposite Phrase
If you want to say you're getting deeply involved in something, use `발을 들이다` (to step into). It's the perfect 'entry' counterpart to this 'exit' phrase.
Examples
6상황이 안 좋아서 저는 이 사업에서 발을 뺐어요.
The situation was bad, so I backed out of this business.
A very standard way to describe leaving a professional commitment.
나 그 미팅에서 발 뺄래. 분위기가 별로야.
I'm gonna back out of that group date. The vibe is off.
Shortened version `발 뺄래` is very common in casual speech.
이제 와서 발을 빼면 어떡합니까?
What do you mean you're backing out now?
Used as a rhetorical question to show frustration.
운동하기로 했잖아! 벌써 발 빼기야?
You agreed to work out! You're backing out already?
Using the noun form `발 빼기` makes it sound more playful.
그 무리에서 발을 빼는 게 쉽지 않았어.
It wasn't easy to distance myself from that group.
Shows the emotional weight of leaving a social circle.
손해 보기 전에 빨리 발을 빼야 해요.
We need to back out quickly before we lose money.
Focuses on the urgency of the withdrawal.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form to say 'I want to back out.'
너무 위험한 것 같아서 이제 그만 ___.
`발을 뺄게요` means 'I will back out.' The other options mean washing or wiping your feet!
Complete the sentence to ask 'Are you backing out?'
약속해놓고 지금 ___ 거예요?
`발을 빼는` is the correct idiomatic usage for backing out of a promise.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '발을 빼다'
Used with close friends or siblings.
나 발 뺄래! (I'm out!)
Common in daily conversation and news.
그는 이번 계획에서 발을 뺐다.
Used in business meetings with honorifics.
제 생각에는 여기서 발을 빼시는 게 좋겠습니다.
When to use '발을 빼다'
Business Deal
Leaving a risky partnership.
Social Plans
Canceling a group trip.
Arguments
Stopping a heated debate.
Investments
Selling stocks before a crash.
Practice Bank
2 exercises너무 위험한 것 같아서 이제 그만 ___.
`발을 뺄게요` means 'I will back out.' The other options mean washing or wiping your feet!
약속해놓고 지금 ___ 거예요?
`발을 빼는` is the correct idiomatic usage for backing out of a promise.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, yes. You usually 발을 빼다 when a situation is no longer beneficial or is becoming problematic.
It's a bit cold for a romantic breakup, but you can use it to describe distancing yourself from a toxic dating situation.
It can be blunt. If you're quitting, use more formal language like 그만두다. Use 발을 빼다 when discussing a specific project's involvement.
발을 빼다 implies escaping a situation, while 손을 떼다 (taking hands off) usually means stopping a specific work or task.
Only if you are quitting a team or a commitment. If you are just stopping a workout session, it doesn't fit.
People often just say 탈주 (escape) in gaming or online contexts, but 발 빼다 remains the most common idiomatic way.
You would say 이미 발 뺐어 in casual speech or 이미 발을 뺐습니다 in formal speech.
Yes! If you leave a group chat because of drama, you can say you 발을 뺐다 from that mess.
Sometimes. If you leave others to suffer, it might seem cowardly. But it also implies being smart enough to leave a 'sinking ship'.
Very often! You'll see headlines like 'Company A backs out of the merger' using 발 빼는 A사.
Related Phrases
손을 떼다 (To wash one's hands of something)
발을 들이다 (To set foot in/get involved)
꼬리를 자르다 (To cut the tail/escape blame)
발을 묶다 (To tie someone's feet/prevent from leaving)
