📖 Meaning
To shut one's doors and conceal one's whereabouts. It refers to living in seclusion and avoiding public attention, keeping one's movements and activities hidden from others. The idiom describes someone who deliberately withdraws from society to avoid notice.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Book of Zhou, Biography of Yuwen Shenju' (《周书·宇文神举传》), a history of the Northern Zhou dynasty. In the passage, the official Xianhe advised Duke Xuan to close his doors and hide his traces, waiting for the right moment to act. Emperor Xiaowu deeply accepted this counsel. The story illustrates a strategy of strategic withdrawal during politically turbulent times in the Northern and Southern dynasties period.
💡 Example Usage
政局动荡之际，他选择杜门晦迹，不问朝事。
Amid political turmoil, he chose to shut his doors and live in seclusion, abstaining from court affairs.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 杜门晦迹
- Pinyin: dù mén huì jì
- Literal Translation: close door, hide tracks
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4