Phrase in 30 Seconds
To be completely controlled or manipulated by someone because they hold leverage over you.
- Means: Being stuck in a situation where you can't say no.
- Used in: Debts, secrets, or being forced into unwanted commitments.
- Don't confuse: With '코가 높다' which means being arrogant or proud.
Explicação no seu nível:
Significado
To be completely controlled or manipulated by someone else.
Contexto cultural
The ox was traditionally considered the 'first property' of a household. The nose ring (mureure) was a rite of passage for a young bull, marking its transition into a working animal. The idiom is frequently used to describe 'Gap-Eul' relationships, highlighting the power imbalance in Korean society. The phrase reflects a society where hierarchy is strictly maintained; once someone is 'above' you through leverage, your autonomy is culturally expected to diminish. There is a long-standing trope of the 'Gong-cheo-ga' (henpecked husband) who is 'hooked by the nose' by a strong-willed wife.
Use with '제대로'
Adding '제대로' (properly/completely) before '코가 꿰였다' makes you sound much more native and emphasizes the severity of the situation.
Not for physical pain
If you actually get a nose piercing at a salon, do NOT use this idiom. Use '코를 뚫다' instead.
Use with '제대로'
Adding '제대로' (properly/completely) before '코가 꿰였다' makes you sound much more native and emphasizes the severity of the situation.
Not for physical pain
If you actually get a nose piercing at a salon, do NOT use this idiom. Use '코를 뚫다' instead.
The 'Marriage' Joke
If a Korean friend says they are 'hooked' by their spouse, they are usually complaining in a lighthearted, affectionate way about having to go home early.
Teste-se
Choose the correct word to complete the idiom.
그는 사장님의 비밀을 알고 있어서 사장님의 코를 ( ) 수 있었다.
'코를 꿰다' is the active form meaning to gain control over someone.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.
빚을 많이 지는 바람에 은행에 코가 ( ).
The past tense '꿰였다' is used to show the current state of being controlled.
Which situation best fits the idiom '코가 꿰이다'?
Which of these people is '코가 꿰인'?
This involves leverage (the secret) and control (doing homework).
Complete the dialogue.
가: 너 왜 저 사람이 시키는 대로 다 해? 나: 저번에 내가 한 실수를 저 사람이 알고 있거든. 완전히 ( ).
'코가 꿰였어' fits the context of being controlled due to a mistake.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
5 exercicios그는 사장님의 비밀을 알고 있어서 사장님의 코를 ( ) 수 있었다.
'코를 꿰다' is the active form meaning to gain control over someone.
빚을 많이 지는 바람에 은행에 코가 ( ).
The past tense '꿰였다' is used to show the current state of being controlled.
Which of these people is '코가 꿰인'?
This involves leverage (the secret) and control (doing homework).
가: 너 왜 저 사람이 시키는 대로 다 해? 나: 저번에 내가 한 실수를 저 사람이 알고 있거든. 완전히 ( ).
'코가 꿰였어' fits the context of being controlled due to a mistake.
🎉 Pontuação: /5
Perguntas frequentes
4 perguntasIt's not rude, but it is colorful. It's best used in casual or semi-formal settings. Don't use it to describe your boss to their face unless you have a very close relationship.
No, it's strictly for people or organizations that can be 'controlled' or 'manipulated.'
'약점을 잡히다' is the literal fact (someone caught your weakness). '코가 꿰이다' is the resulting feeling of being led around like an animal.
Yes, especially in legal, office, or revenge dramas where blackmail is a common plot point.
Frases relacionadas
약점을 잡히다
synonymTo have one's weakness caught.
목덜미를 잡히다
similarTo be caught by the scruff of the neck.
발목을 잡히다
similarTo have one's ankle caught.
코를 꿰다
builds onTo hook someone's nose.
손아귀에 넣다
similarTo put someone in one's palm/grasp.
Onde usar
Workplace Blackmail
A: 김 대리, 왜 아직도 퇴근 안 했어?
B: 이 과장님이 자기 보고서까지 다 하라고 하셔서요. 지난번 실수를 빌미로 제 코를 꿰셨거든요.
Financial Debt
A: 너 왜 그 사람 부탁을 다 들어줘?
B: 빌린 돈이 좀 많아서... 완전히 코가 꿰였어.
Marriage/Relationships
A: 오늘 술 한잔 어때?
B: 안 돼. 와이프한테 코가 꿰여서 일찍 들어가야 해.
Shared Secrets
A: 철수가 왜 영희 가방을 대신 들어주고 있지?
B: 영희가 철수 비밀을 알고 있대. 제대로 코가 꿰인 거지.
Unfair Contracts
A: 이 계약서 사인해도 될까?
B: 조심해. 잘못하면 평생 그 회사에 코가 꿰일 수도 있어.
Parental Control
A: 너 아직도 부모님이 정해주신 학원 다녀?
B: 응, 용돈 때문에 코가 꿰여서 어쩔 수 없어.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Think of a 'CO-worker' pulling your 'CO' (nose) with a 'KO-rope'.
Associação visual
Imagine a giant ox in a business suit, looking sad because a tiny manager is leading it around by a golden nose ring.
Rhyme
코가 꿰여, 꼼짝 못 해! (Nose is hooked, can't move!)
Story
A farmer once had a bull that refused to plow. He tried shouting and pushing, but nothing worked. Finally, he pierced the bull's nose and put a ring in. Now, whenever the farmer pulls the rope, the bull follows instantly. This is you when your boss knows you lied about your resume!
In Other Languages
English has 'led by the nose,' which is almost identical. Chinese uses '牵着鼻子走' (leading by the nose). Both emphasize the loss of control through a sensitive facial feature.
Word Web
Desafio
Try to find one situation in a K-drama today where a character is being manipulated and say '코가 꿰였네!' out loud.
Review this phrase in 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week. Focus on the passive conjugation '꿰였다'.
Pronúncia
Standard pronunciation.
The double 'ㄲ' is a tense sound. The 'ㅞ' is a 'weh' sound.
Espectro de formalidade
채무 관계로 인해 그분에게 코가 꿰인 상태입니다. (Financial subordination)
빚 때문에 그 사람한테 코가 꿰였어요. (Financial subordination)
돈 빌린 것 때문에 그 인간한테 코가 꿰였어. (Financial subordination)
빚 때문에 그놈한테 코 제대로 꿰였지 뭐. (Financial subordination)
The phrase comes from the practice of piercing an ox's nose to insert a ring (mureure) for control. This allowed farmers to steer the powerful animal with minimal effort.
Curiosidade
The 'mureure' was usually made of flexible wood like ash or willow, then later metal.
Notas culturais
The ox was traditionally considered the 'first property' of a household. The nose ring (mureure) was a rite of passage for a young bull, marking its transition into a working animal.
“In traditional folk paintings, you often see a boy leading a massive ox by a single thin rope.”
The idiom is frequently used to describe 'Gap-Eul' relationships, highlighting the power imbalance in Korean society.
“News articles often use this phrase when discussing unfair contracts between big corporations and small suppliers.”
The phrase reflects a society where hierarchy is strictly maintained; once someone is 'above' you through leverage, your autonomy is culturally expected to diminish.
“A junior employee might use this phrase to explain why they can't refuse a senior's request.”
There is a long-standing trope of the 'Gong-cheo-ga' (henpecked husband) who is 'hooked by the nose' by a strong-willed wife.
“Comedians often use this phrase to get a laugh from married audiences.”
Iniciadores de conversa
혹시 누군가에게 코가 꿰여서 곤란했던 적이 있어요?
요즘 직장인들이 상사에게 코가 꿰이는 가장 큰 이유가 뭐라고 생각해요?
드라마에서 주인공이 악당에게 코가 꿰인 장면을 본 적 있나요?
Erros comuns
코가 뚫리다
코가 꿰이다
L1 Interference
코가 높아서 그 사람 말을 들어요.
코가 꿰여서 그 사람 말을 들어요.
L1 Interference
코를 꿰이다 (in a formal report)
약점을 잡히다
L1 Interference
내 코가 꿰였어 (when stuck in a elevator)
갇혔어
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
To be led by the nose
Korean '꿰이다' implies a more permanent or painful entrapment.
Tener a alguien comiendo de su mano
Spanish is more about being 'tame,' Korean is more about being 'trapped.'
Mener quelqu'un par le bout du nez
French emphasizes the 'tip' of the nose.
Jemanden an der Nase herumführen
German implies trickery; Korean implies leverage/weakness.
牛の鼻面を引く (Ushi no hanazura o hiku)
The Japanese cow idiom is less common in daily speech than the Korean one.
牵着鼻子走 (Qiānzhe bízi zǒu)
Very little difference; both share the same cultural root.
يقوده من أنفه (Yaquduhu min anfihi)
Used more to describe a personality trait than a specific situation of leverage.
Levar alguém pelo bico
The bird imagery changes the nuance slightly to 'sweet-talking' someone.
Spotted in the Real World
“그 친구, 박 과장한테 코가 제대로 꿰였어.”
Discussing a colleague who is forced to help with a corrupt manager's schemes.
“돈 때문에 코가 꿰여서 여기까지 온 거 아니야?”
Characters discussing how their debts forced them into the game.
“내 손에 네 코가 꿰여 있다는 거 잊지 마.”
A bully threatening someone whose secret she holds.
Fácil de confundir
Both involve the nose and a passive verb.
Think of '빠지다' (to fall out) as your face falling because you are sad. Think of '꿰이다' (to be pierced) as being stuck.
Both use '코' (nose).
High nose = looking down on people (arrogant). Pierced nose = being led like a cow.
Perguntas frequentes (4)
It's not rude, but it is colorful. It's best used in casual or semi-formal settings. Don't use it to describe your boss to their face unless you have a very close relationship.
usage contextsNo, it's strictly for people or organizations that can be 'controlled' or 'manipulated.'
basic understanding'약점을 잡히다' is the literal fact (someone caught your weakness). '코가 꿰이다' is the resulting feeling of being led around like an animal.
comparisonsYes, especially in legal, office, or revenge dramas where blackmail is a common plot point.
cultural usage
