Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
머리를 맞대다 Meoril matdaeda
To physically or figuratively huddle together with others to solve a complex problem.
What does 머리를 맞대다 mean?
머리를 맞대다 (Meoril matdaeda) means: To physically or figuratively huddle together with others to solve a complex problem.
Natives use this to emphasize the collective mental energy required to crack a tough nut. It implies a sense of intimacy and shared responsibility—you aren't just sending emails; you are literally 'touching heads' to find a way out. Learners often mistake it for simple 'discussion,' but it carries a specific weight of collaborative struggle that '회의하다' (to hold a meeting) lacks.
Other sides of 머리를 맞대다
◆ Family Conspiracy & Planning — When you hear this in a home, it’s not about office productivity; it’s about the 'us against the world' energy that comes with family secrets or difficult decisions. It implies a sense of intimacy and urgency, like sitting around a kitchen table at midnight to decide how to handle an unexpected debt or a surprise birthday scheme. Learners often mistake it for simple group thinking, but natives use it to signal that the barrier between 'me' and 'them' has dissolved, creating a tight-knit circle of trust.
🎙️ 머리를 맞대다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [머리를 맏때다]로 소리나요 (경음화, 받침규칙). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 우리 다 같이 머리를 맞대고 해결책을 찾아보자.
U-ri da ga-chi meo-ri-reul mat-dae-go hae-gyeol-chaek-eul cha-ja-bo-ja.
Let's all put our heads together and find a solution.
💡 Shows the rallying, team-oriented spirit this phrase evokes. - 팀원들이 며칠 밤 머리를 맞댄 결과, 드디어 프로젝트를 마감했어.
Tim-won-deul-i myeot-il bam meo-ri-reul mat-daen gyeol-gwa, deu-di-eo peu-ro-jek-teu-reul ma-gam-haess-eo.
After the team put their heads together for several nights, we finally finished the project.
💡 Highlights the 'struggle' aspect of the collaborative process. - 잠깐 머리 좀 맞대고 이야기할 수 있을까요?
Jam-kkan meo-ri jom mat-dae-go i-ya-gi-hal su is-seul-kka-yo?
Could we put our heads together for a moment to talk?
💡 Demonstrates how it can be used to request a focused, private brainstorming session.
Related words in Social Situations
미필 mi-pil밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기 Mit pajin doge mul butgi모 아니면 도 Mo animyeon do모임 mo-im목이 빠지다 Mogi ppajida