Proverbs
as if water is mixed in water, alcohol is mixed in alcohol; as clear as mud; wishy-washy; running hem and haw
To not have one's own opinions or arguments and for one's words or behavior to be unclear.
as if water is mixed in water, alcohol is mixed in alcohol
To see no effect or change however hard one may try.
One even grasps[clutches] at straws if falling into water
One may do anything in a hopeless and urgent situation.
Save a guy from drowning, and he will demand you to give his bundle back; Save a stranger from the sea, and he will turn into your enemy; Save a thief from the gallows, and he will cut your throat
To ungratefully blame a person who did a favor after receiving help from him/her.
Save a guy from drowing, and he will demand you to compensate him for his mang-geon, or horsehair-woven headband; Save a stranger from the sea, and he will turn into your enemy; Save a thief from the
To ungratefully blame a person who did a favor after receiving help from him/her.
Fish do not gather in water that is too clear
One may find it difficult to have many friends or colleagues around if one is too upright and right-minded.
A loach makes the whole puddle murky; One rotten apple spoils the barrel
For the misdeed of a person to have a negative influence on the whole group or many people.
take a rest since one has slipped on
To behave in the proper manner taking advantage of misfortune.
give one more tteok, rice cake, to a hateful child[guy]
It is advised to be particularly nice to someone whom one hates and keep on good terms with him/her.
a hateful seven-year-old; a naughty seven-year-old
An expression used to describe the tendency of children around seven years old to be naughty and cause much trouble.
affection from hatred, affection from love
An intense feeling of good and bad mixed together towards someone after going through a lot with him/her.
get stabbed by an axe that one trusts; In trust is treason; Trust makes way for treachery; Trust is the mother of deceit
To be harmed as someone whom one had trusted betrayed or something went wrong unexpectedly.
pouring water in a dok, a jar,[a gama, a cauldron, or a pot] without a bottom
A situation where one makes every effort in vain without reward.
shell the pumpkin seed through the bottom hole
To pretend to be gentle and nice but do something totally different in private.
shell the pumpkin seed at the bottom
To pretend to be gentle and nice but do something wrong behind in private.
be able to save the principal even in case of a loss; have nothing to lose
An expression used to refer to a situation where one makes no loss if things go wrong.
A thread goes wherever a needle goes
To be very close to each other and always go about together.
A thief who steals a needle becomes a thief who steals an ox; He that will steal a pin will steal an ox
One is likely to commit a serious crime if one repeats a minor misdeed.
One will not shed even a drop of blood if pricked with a needle
To be shrewd and cold-blooded.