Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
비행기 태우다 Bihaeng-gi taeuda
To excessively praise or puff someone up with smooth talk to butter them up for a favor or inflate their ego.
What does 비행기 태우다 mean?
비행기 태우다 (Bihaeng-gi taeuda) means: To excessively praise or puff someone up with smooth talk to butter them up for a favor or inflate their ego.
Textbooks love to translate this literally as 'to put someone on an airplane,' which misses the psychological bite entirely. Natives use this when someone is laying it on thick—not out of genuine admiration, but to make you feel like you're flying high so you'll eventually drop your guard or do what they want. It’s equal parts playful call-out and astute social observation; if a friend is suddenly showering you with uncharacteristic compliments, you say '비행기 태우지 마' to call their bluff.
Other sides of 비행기 태우다
◆ Playful Teasing among Friends — While this phrase can mean manipulative flattery, among close friends it takes on a completely different, affectionate texture. When someone starts acting a bit too proud or swaggering over a minor achievement, you drop this to burst their bubble with a smirk. Textbooks often miss how this acts as a vital social leveling tool in Korea—a way to affectionately deflate a friend's ego before they become insufferably full of themselves.
How it's actually used
- 그렇게 비행기 태워도 이번 일은 안 도와줄 거야.
Geureoke bihaeng-gi taewodo ibeon ireun an dowajul geoya.
Even if you butter me up like that, I'm not helping you with this one.
💡 Reveals how the phrase is deployed as a shield against transparent flattery. - 팀장님 오늘 기분 좋으신가 봐, 자꾸 비행기 태워 주네.
Timjang-nim oneul gibun joeusin ga bwa, jakku bihaeng-gi taewo june.
Our team leader must be in a good mood today, he keeps feeding our egos.
💡 Shows the word being used in a workplace dynamic to decode a boss's sudden kindness. - 에이, 그만 비행기 태워요. 저 진짜 어깨 으쓱해져요.
Ei, geuman bihaeng-gi taewoyo. Jeo jinjja eokkae eusseukhaejyeoyo.
Hey, stop inflating my ego. I'm actually starting to strut.
💡 Highlights the self-aware, slightly amused acceptance of being flattered.
Related words in Social Situations
보통 bo-tong보기 좋은 떡이 먹기도 좋다 Bogi joeun tteogi meokgi-do jota보기에는 bogieneun병 주고 약 준다 Byeong jugo yak junda찬밥 신세 Chanbap sinse