발길이 끊기다.

The idiom '발길이 끊기다' is composed of '발길' (balgil) meaning 'footsteps' or 'visits', and '끊기다' (keunheojida) which is the passive form of '끊다' (kkeunta), meaning 'to cut off' or 'to sever'. Literally, it translates to 'footsteps are cut off'. This vivid imagery evokes the idea of a path or connection being severed, thereby preventing further visits. The idiom has been in use for a significant period in the Korean language, reflecting a common human experience of shifting social patterns and relationships. It often implies a sense of absence or a discontinuation of a previously regular activity. The concept of 'footsteps' as a metaphor for visits is a pervasive one across many cultures, highlighting the physical act of journeying to a location as a representation of engagement and presence. When these 'footsteps are cut off,' it signifies an end to that engagement. The passive construction emphasizes that the cessation of visits is often a consequence of external factors or a natural progression rather than an active decision to stop. This idiom encapsulates a nuanced understanding of social dynamics and the ebb and flow of human interaction over time.