吃閉門羹

Chinese

 
eat; eradicate; destroy; receive; stammer
closed-door soup’; denial of entrance
trad. (吃閉門羹) 閉門羹
simp. (吃闭门羹) 闭门羹
Literally: “to eat ‘closed-door soup’”.

Etymology

From the story of the famous Tang dynasty courtesan Shi Feng (史鳳), who would stratify her numerous clients by their social status. The finest guests would appropriately be given the finest treatment, whereas the lowest-level guests would be greeted with a closed door and a bowl of thick soup.

Pronunciation


Verb

吃閉門羹

  1. (idiomatic, figuratively) to be refused admission as an unwelcome guest; to be rejected or refused

Synonyms

  • (Cantonese) 食閉門羹食闭门羹
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