Korean Idioms & Expressions

간 떨어지다

gan tteoreojida

Literal meaning

one's liver drops/falls off

What it really means

To be startled or frightened out of one's wits. In Korean the liver is seen as the seat of courage, so a sudden shock 'drops' it. Used for a brief, intense scare.

Examples

Korean	English
갑자기 뒤에서 소리쳐서 간 떨어질 뻔했어요. gapjagi dwieseo sorichyeoseo gan tteoreojil ppeonhaesseoyo.	You shouted behind me so suddenly that I nearly jumped out of my skin.

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