고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다

gorae ssaume saeu deung teojinda

Word for word

“When whales fight, the shrimp's back bursts.”

What it means

When the powerful clash, the small ones nearby get hurt.

When you'd say it

Getting caught in the middle of two bosses' or two parents' argument.

Closest English saying

When elephants fight, it's the grass that suffers.

Example

두 부장님 싸움에 우리 팀만 야근이야. 고래 싸움에 새우 등 터진다.Two directors argue and our team works late. Whales fight, shrimp get crushed.