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.
Natives use this when they want to highlight that someone has entered a 'beast mode' where the end justifies any means. It’s not just hard work; it carries a slightly ominous undertone of being unstoppable, almost to the point of being scary or irrational. Learners often mistake it for simple 'diligence,' but in reality, you’d use this to describe someone clawing their way to the top, regardless of who they offend or how much they burn out along the way.
Other sides of 물불을 가리지 않다
◆ Fierce Parental Devotion — While often used for general ambition, when applied to Korean parenting, this phrase takes on a visceral, almost terrifying edge. It signals a parent who has abandoned their own identity, pride, and moral hesitation to provide for their child, often implying they would walk through fire (literally 'water and fire') without blinking. Learners often mistake this for simple 'hard work,' but it actually carries a heavy, desperate undertone of total self-annihilation for the sake of the next generation.
◆ Reckless Vendetta & Desperation — When you use this for 'Reckless Vendetta,' you aren't talking about hard work; you're talking about someone who has snapped and is willing to burn down their own life just to see an enemy suffer. Natives reach for this when describing a 'lose-lose' situation where the individual has mentally checked out of reality and consequences. Learners often mistake this for simple 'determination,' but in this context, it carries a chilling, almost sociopathic intensity that warns others to stay out of the way.
◆ Reckless Vendetta & Desperation — When you use this for 'Reckless Vendetta,' you aren't talking about hard work; you're talking about someone who has snapped and is willing to burn down their own life just to see an enemy suffer. Natives reach for this when describing a 'lose-lose' situation where the individual has mentally checked out of reality and consequences. Learners often mistake this for simple 'determination,' but in this context, it carries a chilling, almost sociopathic intensity that warns others to stay out of the way.
🎙️ 물불을 가리지 않다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [물부를 가리지 안타]로 소리나요 (격음화, 연음법칙, 자음군단순화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 그 사람은 성공하기 위해서라면 물불을 가리지 않는 스타일이야.
Geu saram-eun seonggong-hagi wihaeseoramyeon mul-bul-eul gariji anneun seutail-iya.
He’s the type who doesn't care about anything—fire or water—if it means he'll succeed.
💡 Highlights that the person’s personality is fundamentally wired for ruthless ambition. - 이번 승진을 위해 물불을 가리지 않고 일했더니 몸이 다 망가졌어.
Ibeon seungjin-eul wihae mul-bul-eul gariji anko ilhaetdeoni mom-i da mang-gajyeosseo.
I worked like a maniac for this promotion, ignoring everything else, and now my body is wrecked.
💡 Shows the self-destructive, 'hustle culture' side of the expression. - 경쟁이 치열해지니까 다들 물불을 가리지 않고 덤비네.
Gyeongjaeng-i chiyeolhaejinikka dadeul mul-bul-eul gariji anko deombine.
The competition is getting so fierce that everyone is going all-out, no holds barred.
💡 Captures the collective, cutthroat energy of a hyper-competitive environment.
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