What's the nuance of meaning of 마음을 먹다 (literally, 'to eat one's mind'), and how does the metaphor work?

Question

I've heard '마음을 먹다' translated as to 'make up one's mind' or to 'have a mind' (to do something). Is it neutral in feeling, or does it imply hiding or deadening one's emotions in preparation for doing something unpleasant? Also, how does the metaphor of 'eating' your mind/heart work? can it be compared to any other similar ____을 먹다 expressions?

Answer 1

Korean verb ‘먹다’ has multiple meanings.

These are the different meanings of ‘먹다’ for beginners.

1. to eat/take

▪예: 사과를 먹어요. I am eating apple.

      과자를 먹을 거예요. I am going to eat snacks.

      점심에 뭐 먹었어요? What did you eat at lunch?

      약을 먹어요: I am taking medicine.

 2. to have a certain thought, emotion.

 ▪예. 마음을 먹다. I made up my mind.

       나(는) 감동 먹었어요. I am/was touched.

3. to get/grow older

▪예. 나는 나이를 많이 먹었어요. I’ve gotten quite old. / I am old.

      그는 나보다 두 살 더 나이를 먹었다. He is two years older than I am.

      세 살 먹은 아이예요. He/She is three-year-old kid.

Answer 2

According to a fluent Korean speaker standing next to me as I write this. It means you have something you need to do but have hesitations about it but you resolve yourself to do it. It's not exactly like deadening an emotion but more about overcoming fear or worry, to "have a mind" to do something, or to strengthen your mind to do it.

In some scenarios like in a break-up it could mean to harden your heart or deaden some emotion but it's more about making up your mind to do something no matter what in the broader context.