Nuance Dictionary / Emotions & Feelings
피도 눈물도 없다 pido nunmoldo eopda
The cold-blooded enforcement of corporate bottom lines at the total expense of human empathy.
What does 피도 눈물도 없다 mean?
피도 눈물도 없다 (pido nunmoldo eopda) means: The cold-blooded enforcement of corporate bottom lines at the total expense of human empathy.
In a work context, this isn't just about being 'mean'; it’s about a sociopathic devotion to KPIs and profit margins that ignores the fact that employees are human beings. When a native uses this, they are signaling a deep, cynical resentment toward a management style that treats people like replaceable machine parts. Learners often mistake this for simple 'cruelty,' but in Korea, it specifically carries the weight of a betrayal of the 'we are a family' social contract often touted by companies.
Other sides of 피도 눈물도 없다
◆ Hyper-Competitive Rivalry — When you use this in a gaming or sports context, you aren't calling the person a villain; you’re calling them a cold-blooded machine. It implies a 'killer instinct' where they strip away all personal sentiment to prioritize winning. Learners often mistake this for a genuine insult, but in a competitive arena, it’s the highest form of respect for someone who refuses to go easy on their opponent.
◆ The 'Cold-Blooded' Archetype — Natives don't use this for someone who is just mean or 'strict'; they reserve it for people who seem to be missing a conscience entirely. It functions as a definitive moral indictment, often used when someone treats another person like a disposable object or shows zero reaction to someone else's suffering. If you use this, you are effectively branding the person as a 'villain' in the narrative of your conversation.
◆ The 'Cold-Blooded' Archetype — Natives don't use this for someone who is just mean or 'strict'; they reserve it for people who seem to be missing a conscience entirely. It functions as a definitive moral indictment, often used when someone treats another person like a disposable object or shows zero reaction to someone else's suffering. If you use this, you are effectively branding the person as a 'villain' in the narrative of your conversation.
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How it's actually used
- 우리 팀장 진짜 피도 눈물도 없다. 주말인데 프로젝트 마감하라고 연락 왔어.
u-ri tim-jang jin-jja pi-do nun-mul-do eop-da. ju-mal-in-de peu-ro-jek-teu ma-gam-ha-ra-go yeon-lak wat-seo.
My team leader is truly heartless. They messaged me to finish the project even though it's the weekend.
💡 Shows the term used to describe a boss who violates personal boundaries for corporate output. - 회사가 구조조정 할 때 보면 정말 피도 눈물도 없다는 게 느껴져.
hoe-sa-ga gu-jo-jo-jeong hal ttae bo-myeon jeong-mal pi-do nun-mul-do eop-da-neun ge neu-kkyeo-jyeo.
When you see the company doing restructuring, you really feel how cold-blooded they are.
💡 Highlights the term's usage regarding systemic corporate policies that prioritize efficiency over job security. - 성과만 중요시하는 저 피도 눈물도 없는 경영 방식은 이제 바뀌어야 해.
seong-gwa-man jung-yo-si-ha-neun jeo pi-do nun-mul-do eop-neun gyeong-yeong bang-sik-eun i-je ba-kkwi-eo-ya hae.
That heartless management style that only prioritizes results needs to change now.
💡 Demonstrates the term used as a critique of corporate culture and organizational values.
Related words in Emotions & Feelings
설마 seolma심심하다 sim-sim-ha-da속이 시원하다 Sogi siwonhada속이 타다 Sogi tada속마음 Sok-ma-eum