Korean Idioms & Expressions

숨통이 트이다

sumtongi teuida

Literal meaning

'the windpipe opens up' (숨통 = windpipe + 트이다 = open up)

To get breathing room; to feel relief after a stifling situation eases — financially, emotionally, or in a tense circumstance.

Korean	English
보너스를 받고 나서야 겨우 숨통이 트였다. boneoseureul batgo naseoya gyeou sumtongi teuyeotda.	It was only after I got the bonus that I could finally breathe again.

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