📖 Meaning
Refers to earnestly and forcibly keeping guests to drink. Originates from Chen Zun of the Han dynasty, who would remove the axle pins from his guests' carriages and throw them into the well so that no one could leave, even in emergencies. Used to describe overwhelming hospitality that prevents guests from departing.
📜 Origin Story
From the Book of Han, Biography of Chen Zun (《汉书·陈遵传》). Chen Zun of the Western Han dynasty was fond of heavy drinking and hosted guests daily with a hall always full. He would close the gates, take the axle pins (辖) from his guests' carriages, and throw them into the well, so that even guests with urgent matters could not leave. The story became a lasting emblem of insistent, even coercive, hospitality.
💡 Example Usage
主人拔辖投井，殷勤留客痛饮，直至深夜方休。
The host pulled out the axle pins and threw them into the well, earnestly keeping his guests to drink heartily until late into the night.
🏷️ Category
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🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 拔辖投井
- Pinyin: bá xiá tóu jǐng
- Literal Translation: pull out, axle pin, throw into, well
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4