발이 묶이다
To be stuck
Literally: 발 (Feet) + 이 (Subject marker) + 묶이다 (To be tied/bound)
Use this phrase when external circumstances like weather or traffic prevent you from moving or leaving a place.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when you are physically stuck or stranded somewhere.
- Commonly triggered by bad weather, traffic, or canceled flights.
- Literally means 'feet are tied,' implying you cannot leave.
Meaning
Imagine your feet are literally tied together so you can't move. This phrase describes being stuck somewhere due to weather, traffic, or unexpected circumstances.
Key Examples
3 of 6Texting a friend about a storm
폭설 때문에 공항에 발이 묶였어.
I'm stuck at the airport because of the heavy snow.
Explaining a work delay to a spouse
갑작스러운 회의 때문에 회사에 발이 묶여 버렸네요.
I've ended up stuck at the office because of a sudden meeting.
Talking about a broken car
차가 고장 나서 길 한복판에 발이 묶였어요.
My car broke down, so I'm stuck in the middle of the road.
Cultural Background
This idiom reflects Korea's historical reliance on walking and mountain travel. When heavy snow or rain hit, travelers were physically unable to cross mountain ridges, effectively 'tying' them to their current location. Today, it is the standard way the Korean media describes airport closures or transit strikes.
The 'Because' Connection
Always pair this with '때문에' (because of). It makes you sound like a pro at explaining your predicament.
News Anchor Vibes
You will hear this constantly on Korean news during the summer 'Jangma' (monsoon season). It's the media's favorite phrase for travel chaos.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when you are physically stuck or stranded somewhere.
- Commonly triggered by bad weather, traffic, or canceled flights.
- Literally means 'feet are tied,' implying you cannot leave.
What It Means
Think about a time you were ready to leave. Suddenly, a massive snowstorm hits. Or maybe your flight gets canceled. You aren't just 'delayed.' You are physically stuck in a place. In Korean, we say 발이 묶이다. It literally means your feet are tied. It captures that feeling of wanting to go but being unable to move. It is more than just being late. It implies an external force is holding you back.
How To Use It
You use this phrase like a passive verb. Usually, you mention the cause first. Use the structure: [Cause] 때문에 발이 묶였어요. For example, 'Because of the rain, I'm stuck.' It sounds very natural and descriptive. You can use it for travel, work, or even social plans. It’s a great way to explain why you aren't where you should be.
When To Use It
Use this when nature ruins your plans. Heavy snow, typhoons, or thick fog are perfect reasons. Use it when transportation fails you. If the subway stops or your car breaks down, your feet are tied. You can also use it at work. If a long meeting keeps you from leaving, tell your friends your feet are tied. It adds a bit of drama to your situation. It makes your excuse sound more valid and out of your control.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you are just lazy. If you stayed home to watch Netflix, your feet aren't tied. Don't use it for emotional 'stuckness' like a bad relationship. This is mostly for physical movement. Also, avoid using it for minor 5-minute delays. It’s for when you are genuinely stranded for a while. If you can just walk away, don't say your feet are tied!
Cultural Background
Korea is a peninsula with very distinct seasons. We have heavy summer monsoons and snowy winters. In the past, mountain passes were often blocked by snow. Travelers would be stuck at inns for days. This phrase likely comes from those moments. It reflects a respect for the power of nature. Even today, with the KTX and subways, Koreans use this to vent about the frustration of modern delays.
Common Variations
In news reports, you might hear 발이 묶인 귀성객. This refers to travelers stuck during holidays like Chuseok. You can also use the active form 발을 묶다 (to tie someone's feet). For example, 'The storm tied the travelers' feet.' However, the passive version 발이 묶이다 is much more common in daily speech. It focuses on your own helpless situation.
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any formality level depending on the sentence ending. It is most commonly used in the past tense (`묶였다`) because by the time you say it, the 'tying' of your feet has already happened.
The 'Because' Connection
Always pair this with '때문에' (because of). It makes you sound like a pro at explaining your predicament.
News Anchor Vibes
You will hear this constantly on Korean news during the summer 'Jangma' (monsoon season). It's the media's favorite phrase for travel chaos.
Don't use for 'Lost'
If you are lost in a city, don't use this. Use '길을 잃다'. '발이 묶이다' is for when you know where you are, but you just can't leave!
Examples
6폭설 때문에 공항에 발이 묶였어.
I'm stuck at the airport because of the heavy snow.
A very common use case for travel delays.
갑작스러운 회의 때문에 회사에 발이 묶여 버렸네요.
I've ended up stuck at the office because of a sudden meeting.
Using '버렸다' adds a sense of regret or annoyance.
차가 고장 나서 길 한복판에 발이 묶였어요.
My car broke down, so I'm stuck in the middle of the road.
Shows the phrase applies to mechanical failures too.
파업으로 인해 많은 승객들의 발이 묶였습니다.
Many passengers have been stranded due to the strike.
Formal news style using the plural 'passengers'.
강아지가 너무 귀여워서 집에 발이 묶였네!
The puppy is so cute that I'm stuck at home!
A playful, metaphorical use of the phrase.
차가 너무 막혀서 고속도로에 발이 묶여 있어.
Traffic is so bad I'm stuck on the highway.
Used when you are physically unable to exit a situation.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct particle and verb form to say 'I am stuck because of the rain.'
비 ___ 공항에 발이 ___.
‘때문에’ indicates the cause (rain), and ‘묶였어요’ is the passive past tense meaning 'became tied/stuck'.
Which situation is MOST appropriate for using '발이 묶이다'?
I should use this phrase when ___.
The phrase is specifically for when external factors like weather or cancellations prevent movement.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of '발이 묶이다'
Used with friends (반말)
나 발이 묶였어.
Standard daily conversation
발이 묶였어요.
News reports or business
발이 묶였습니다.
When are your feet 'tied'?
Natural Disaster
Typhoon or Flood
Transportation Issue
Flight Cancellation
Traffic
Gridlock on Highway
Social/Work Obligation
Endless Meeting
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it's an idiom! While the literal words mean 'feet are tied,' it is only used metaphorically to mean you are stuck or stranded.
Technically yes, but it sounds a bit dramatic. It's better for physical situations like being stuck in a room or a building.
Yes, if you use the polite ending 발이 묶였어요. It is a very standard and acceptable way to explain a delay.
Being late (늦다) is the result. 발이 묶이다 is the situation that causes you to be late because you can't move.
Usually, no. For feeling 'stuck in life,' Koreans use different expressions like 답답하다 or 제자리걸음이다.
You can say 날씨가 제 발을 묶었어요, but it is much more natural to say 날씨 때문에 발이 묶였어요.
No, it is a standard idiom. You will find it in newspapers, literature, and everyday speech.
Absolutely! 차 안에서 발이 묶였어요 (I'm stuck inside the car) is a very common complaint in Seoul.
That works! If you can't go out because of financial reasons, you can humorously say your feet are tied.
Yes, 손이 묶이다 exists, but it means being too busy to help someone else, rather than being physically stranded.
Related Phrases
꼼짝 못 하다
To be unable to budge/move an inch
갇히다
To be trapped or shut in
길이 막히다
The road is blocked / Traffic is heavy
오도 가도 못 하다
To be unable to go or come (completely stuck)
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