-(으)ㄹ 뻔하다

Meaning

1. 1

   An expression used to express that the incident mentioned in the preceding statement almost occurred but ultimately did not occur.

   앞의 말이 나타내는 일이 일어나지는 않았지만 일어나기 직전의 상태까지 갔음을 나타내는 표현.

Example sentences

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• 급하게 뛰어오다가 하마터면 넘어질 뻔했다.

  I was running in a hurry and almost fell.

• 조금만 더 늦었더라면 기차를 놓칠 뻔했다.

  If I had been a little later, I would have missed the train.

• 눈길에서 속력을 줄이지 않아서 사고가 날 뻔했다.

  I didn't slow down on the snowy road and nearly had an accident.

• 오늘 입사하고 첫 출근이었는데 어땠어?

  Today was your first day at the new company. How was it?

  말도 마. 늦잠을 자서 첫날부터 지각할 뻔했어.

  Don't even ask. I overslept and almost was late on the very first day.

• 지수는 부모님의 사고 소식을 듣고 정신을 잃을 뻔했다.

  Hearing the news of her parents' accident, Jisu nearly fainted.

• 출퇴근 시간이라 지하철을 타지 않았으면 약속 시간에 늦을 뻔했다.

  It was rush hour, so if I hadn't taken the subway, I would have been late for the appointment.