Nuance Dictionary / Grit, Survival, & Hardship

맨땅에 헤딩(하다) maen-ttang-e-he-ding

Headbutting bare ground; starting a difficult task from scratch with zero resources

What does 맨땅에 헤딩(하다) mean?

맨땅에 헤딩(하다) (maen-ttang-e-he-ding) means: Headbutting bare ground; starting a difficult task from scratch with zero resources.

A reckless but brave challenge. Taking on an impossible task with no preparation.

How it's actually used

  • 아무런 정보도 없이 해외로 떠난 건 완전히 맨땅에 헤딩하는 격이었어.
    Amureon jeongbodo eopsi haeworo tteonan geon wanjeonhi maengttang-e hedinghaneun gyeog-ieosseo.
    Leaving for a foreign country with zero information was totally like headbutting bare ground.
    💡 Used when someone jumps into a venture with zero preparation.
  • 인맥도 자본도 없지만 맨땅에 헤딩하는 심정으로 창업을 시작했다.
    Inmaekdo jabondo eopjiman maengttang-e hedinghaneun simjeong-euro chang-eob-eul sijakhaetda.
    I had no connections or capital, but I started my business with the mindset of starting completely from scratch.
    💡 Often used to frame a risky startup journey as brave.
  • 자본도 인맥도 없이 창업을 하려니 맨땅에 헤딩하는 기분이다.
    jabondo inmaekdo eopsi changeobeul haryeoni maettange hedinghaneun gibunida.
    Trying to start a business with no capital or connections feels like diving headfirst into an empty pool.
    💡 Used to describe starting a venture with absolute zero preparation.

Related words in Grit, Survival, & Hardship

이(를) 악물다 i-reul-ang-mul-da산전수전(다 겪다) san-jeon-su-jeon요령(을 피우다) yo-ryeong악착같이 ak-chak-ga-chi기(를) 쓰다 gi-reul-sseu-da

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