옹색해요 · 옹색했어요 · 옹색한 (+noun)
cramped; hard up; (excuse) lame, feeble
Example
그의 변명은 너무 옹색하게 들렸어요.
His excuse sounded really lame.
Word parts
옹 block+색 clog
Literally 'blocked and clogged' — no room to move.
Good to know
Common: 옹색한 변명 'a lame excuse' and 살림이 옹색하다 'to be hard up'.
Related words