종로에서 뺨을 맞고 강남역에서 화낸다
Meaning: Venting frustration on innocent people due to humiliation elsewhere; displaced anger toward wrong targets.
Language: Korean
Literally: Get slapped in Jongno and take anger out in Gangnam Station
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: Modern Seoul idiom using famous districts; reflects urban frustration culture and class consciousness in contemporary Korea.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- душа нараспашку — Extremely open, trusting, or emotionally vulnerable with others.
- estar com a corda no pescoço — Be in serious financial or personal trouble with no easy escape.
- wear your heart on your sleeve — to display emotions openly; to be transparent about feelings.
- have the wool pulled over your eyes — to be deceived or fooled.
- lower your guard — to relax defenses; to become vulnerable.
- fit as a fiddle — in excellent physical condition; healthy.
More Korean idioms
- 발이 넓다 — To be extremely well-connected.
- 국수를 먹다 — To attend a wedding — or, asked as a question, when will you marry?
- 바가지를 쓰다 — To be overcharged; to get ripped off.
- 비행기를 태우다 — To flatter someone over the top.
- 미역국을 먹다 — To fail an exam.
- 그림의 떡 — Something desirable but completely out of reach.
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