눈이 높다
그는 결혼 상대에 눈이 너무 높아서 아직 결혼을 안 했다.
He's so picky about his marriage partner that he hasn't married yet.
to have high standards and be selective about something, often to the point of being unrealistic
그녀는 취업할 때 회사에 눈이 너무 높아서 좋은 기회도 놓치곤 한다.
She's so picky about companies when job hunting that she often misses good opportunities.
그는 음식에 눈이 높아 어떤 음식도 마다하지 않는다.
He's so picky about food that he refuses anything.
Commonly used for romantic partners, jobs, food, or material possessions. Implies excessive selectivity rather than reasonable standards.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common contexts
This idiom is most frequently used when talking about romantic partners ('결혼 상대'), jobs ('직장'), or food ('음식'). For material possessions, it often refers to luxury items ('고가의 물건').
Gold Rule
Don't confuse with literal '눈이 높다'
The idiomatic meaning is completely different from the literal sense of 'having high eyes' (e.g., someone's eyes being positioned high on their face). Always consider the context.
Usage Notes
Often used in personal contexts (relationships, career choices). Can carry a slightly negative connotation implying unreasonable demands. The '눈이' (eyes) metaphorically represent one's judgment or preference.