독 안에 든 쥐

Literal Meaning

A mouse in an earthen jar

Usage

Used to describe a situation in which there is little or no hope for escape.

Koreans use large earthen jars to store various kimchis and pastes. The jars usually bow out near the top and then come back in to form fairly narrow openings. If a mouse were to get into one of these jars, it would have very little hope of getting out.

Korean Equivalent

아무리 애를 써도 벗어날 수 없는 처지의 비유.

English Equivalent

A rat in a trap.