📖 Meaning
This idiom means to lay down one's writing brush and put away the wooden writing tablets, signifying the cessation of writing. It describes someone who has stopped their literary or writing work, often due to discouragement, grief, or a major setback.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom has no single definitive literary source but draws on classical Chinese writing imagery. In ancient China, before paper became widespread, 毫 referred to the writing brush made of animal hair, while 牍 referred to the narrow wooden tablets used as a writing surface. The combination of stopping the brush (辍毫) and storing away the tablets (栖牍) paints a vivid picture of a writer who has given up their craft. The phrase conveys a sense of finality and reluctance in abandoning literary pursuits.
💡 Example Usage
因受的打击太大，他已经辍毫栖牍了。
Due to the overwhelming blow he suffered, he has already laid down his brush and stopped writing altogether.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 辍毫栖牍
- Pinyin: chuò háo qī dú
- Literal Translation: stop brush, store away wooden tablets
- Category: Action
- Characters: 4