Korean Idioms Questions

1) 

This old idiom is used when someone acts in the way that makes the situation even worse.

나쁜 일이 있는데 또 나쁜 일이 겹쳐서 아주 지리리 불운한 상황을 뜻합니다.

What is this idiom in both Korean and English?

Hint: It originated from the fables of Phaedrus in the first century. He gives a story about how a bald man 

who tries to swat a fly but instead hits his head. The fly laughs at him and says, “You wished to kill me for a 

touch, what will you do to yourself since you have added insult to injury?”

Answer: 설상가상 (Sul-sang-ga-sang); Add insult to injury.

2) 

What is the idiom that describes something that intensifies what is good to even better! (Answer either in 

Korean or English). It is divided to both positive and negative meaning, which it could be something that makes 

what is good to even better or what is bad to even worse.

가장 중요한 부분을 마지막 순간에 무언가를 더하여서 더 이상 건드릴 것이 없는 화려한 걸작이나 가치를 만든다는 뜻으로, 이

고사성어(사자성어)는 무엇일까요?

Hint: 

원피스 캐릭터 상디가 제브라(CP9)과의 싸움에서 디아블 잠브와 동시에 제브라를 끝낸버린 필살 기의 이름이기도 합니다. The name of 

this idiom was used during Sanji’s first use of Diable Jambe that allowed him to beat CP9 in One Piece.

Answer:

Icing on the cake / 화룡점정

3) 

What is the idiom that refers to a person who slowly attains success or matures? (Answer either in Korean 

or English)

Answer:

Late bloomer / 대기만성

4) 

What is the idiom that allows us to understand or experience of someone ’else point of view through putting 

ourselves into his or her situation?

처지를 바꾸어 생각해라 라는 어원이 담긴 사자성어가 무엇일까요?

Answer:

Put yourselves in someone’s shoes/ Put you in your place / put yourself in somebody’s place / put (oneself) in 

(someone else’s) place / 역지사지

5) 

What is the old idiom that tells we can always benefit from every bad things happen? (Either in Korean or 

English)

Hint: 

Answer:

Every cloud has a silver lining / 전화위복