Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
눈독을 들이다 Nundog-eul deurida
To silently fixate on a desirable object or portion of food, mentally marking it as your own prize.
What does 눈독을 들이다 mean?
눈독을 들이다 (Nundog-eul deurida) means: To silently fixate on a desirable object or portion of food, mentally marking it as your own prize.
Speakers use this expression when observing a group gathered around limited physical goods or food, where multiple people desire the same item. It describes the silent, intent focus placed on a specific object before anyone makes a move to claim it. It typically appears in casual settings involving food, shared dishes, or limited items at a gathering.
Can feel slightly greedy or overly competitive in a lighthearted, playful way, as if the person is plotting to claim the item before anyone else notices.
Can feel slightly greedy or overly competitive in a lighthearted, playful way, as if the person is plotting to claim the item before anyone else notices.
Other sides of 눈독을 들이다
◆ Professional Ambition and Project Poaching — Speakers use this expression in professional environments when someone targets a new corporate role or project lead position quietly. It appears in discussions regarding internal competition, resource allocation, and career advancement within office settings. It frequently combines with verbs of observation or intention like 보다 and 노리다.
In workplace contexts, this can carry a subtle edge of calculated ambition, suggesting that someone is quietly maneuvering ahead of their peers before an official announcement.
In workplace contexts, this can carry a subtle edge of calculated ambition, suggesting that someone is quietly maneuvering ahead of their peers before an official announcement.
🎙️ 눈독을 들이다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [눈도글 드리다]로 소리나요 (연음법칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 마지막 남은 조각에 눈독을 들이다가 결국 집어 들었다.
ma-ji-mak nam-eun jog-ak-e nun-dog-eul deul-i-da-ga gyeol-guk jib-eo deul-eot-da.
I kept eyeing the last remaining piece before finally picking it up.
💡 A person eyeing the last piece of food at a table. - 친구가 새로 산 가방에 눈독을 들이고 있다.
chin-gu-ga sae-ro san gab-ang-e nun-dog-eul deul-i-go it-da.
My friend has been eyeing the bag I just bought.
💡 Someone noticing and desiring another person's new possession. - 진열대의 한정판 피규어에 눈독을 들이는 사람이 많다.
jin-yeol-dae-ui han-jeong-pan pi-gyu-eo-e nun-dog-eul deul-i-neun saram-i man-da.
Many people are eyeing the limited-edition figure on the display shelf.
💡 Shoppers silently sizing up a collectible item in a store.
Related words in Social Situations
눈이 부시다 nuni busida옥신 ok-sin오르지 못할 나무는 쳐다도 보지 마라 Oreuji mothal namuneun chyeodado boji mara파김치가 되다 Pa-gimchiga doeda폭풍 pok-pung