Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
물불을 가리지 않다 Mul-bul-eul gariji anta
To pursue a goal with such reckless, singular intensity that one ignores all personal boundaries, social consequences, or common sense.
What does 물불을 가리지 않다 mean?
물불을 가리지 않다 (Mul-bul-eul gariji anta) means: To pursue a goal with such reckless, singular intensity that one ignores all personal boundaries, social consequences, or common sense.
Speakers use this expression to describe an intense, uncompromising drive toward a career, financial, or academic target. It frequently appears when someone casts aside caution or conventional limits to secure a position, pass a competitive exam, or turn around a failing venture. It pairs with verbs of pursuit and survival, such as 달려들다 and 매달리다.
Among colleagues or peers, this can paint the subject as either fiercely dedicated or ruthlessly single-minded, depending on whether the ambition is viewed with admiration or unease.
Among colleagues or peers, this can paint the subject as either fiercely dedicated or ruthlessly single-minded, depending on whether the ambition is viewed with admiration or unease.
Other sides of 물불을 가리지 않다
◆ Fierce Parental Devotion — Speakers use this phrase to describe a state of absolute determination where someone stops at nothing to achieve a goal. It often appears in narratives concerning family sacrifice, particularly parents pursuing educational or financial survival for their children.
In the context of parental devotion, this can sound intensely heavy, conveying a mixture of desperate sacrifice and unyielding resolve.
◆ Reckless Vendetta & Desperation — Speakers use this phrase to describe situations where someone abandons all caution, social norms, or self-preservation to achieve a goal or react to a threat. It appears in contexts involving intense conflict, revenge, or extreme crisis where normal rules no longer apply. It frequently occurs in narrative descriptions or dramatic accounts of individuals pushed past their limits.
This can sound alarming and carries a strong warning, often portraying a person as unpredictable, dangerous, or completely consumed by their objective.
In the context of parental devotion, this can sound intensely heavy, conveying a mixture of desperate sacrifice and unyielding resolve.
◆ Reckless Vendetta & Desperation — Speakers use this phrase to describe situations where someone abandons all caution, social norms, or self-preservation to achieve a goal or react to a threat. It appears in contexts involving intense conflict, revenge, or extreme crisis where normal rules no longer apply. It frequently occurs in narrative descriptions or dramatic accounts of individuals pushed past their limits.
This can sound alarming and carries a strong warning, often portraying a person as unpredictable, dangerous, or completely consumed by their objective.
🎙️ 물불을 가리지 않다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [물부를 가리지 안타]로 소리나요 (격음화, 연음법칙, 자음군단순화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 성공하기 위해 물불을 가리지 않고 일했다.
seong-gong-ha-gi wi-hae mul-bul-eul ga-ri-ji anh-go il-haet-da.
They worked without sparing any effort or avoiding any obstacle to succeed.
💡 Describing relentless career ambition - 그는 목표를 달성하기 위해 물불을 가리지 않는 태도를 보인다.
geu-neun mok-pyo-reul dal-seong-ha-gi wi-hae mul-bul-eul ga-ri-ji anh-neun tae-do-reul bo-in-da.
He shows a do-or-die attitude to achieve his goal.
💡 Describing hyper-focused determination - 시험 합격을 위해서라면 물불을 가릴 처지가 아니다.
si-heom hap-gyeog-eul wi-hae-seo-ra-myeon mul-bul-eul ga-ril cheo-ji-ga a-ni-da.
With the exam approaching, this is no time to be picky about the means.
💡 Describing desperate academic hustle
Related words in Social Situations
물 먹다 Mul meokda눈에 불을 켜다 Nun-e bul-eul kyeoda눈에 익다 Nun-e ikda눈에 띄다 Nun-e tti-da눈을 붙이다 nun-eul붙ida