📖 Meaning
A metaphor for living in seclusion and declining government office, leading a life of leisure. It describes someone who withdraws from public affairs and worldly ambitions, preferring the quiet of mountain life to the pursuit of power or official position.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom comes from the 'Book of Jin, Biography of Xie An' (晋书·谢安传). Xie An, a celebrated scholar of the Eastern Jin dynasty, repeatedly refused imperial summons and lived in seclusion at East Mountain (东山) in Kuaiji, passing his days with friends in poetry, music, and refined conversation. The phrase '卿累违朝旨，高卧东山' ('You have repeatedly defied the court's decrees, lying high at East Mountain') was used to admonish him for his persistent refusal to serve. Eventually he returned to office and famously commanded the Jin victory at the Battle of Fei River, giving rise to the contrasting idiom 东山再起 ('to stage a comeback from East Mountain').
💡 Example Usage
功成名就之后，他选择高卧东山，远离朝堂纷争。
After achieving fame and success, he chose to retire into seclusion at East Mountain, keeping his distance from the intrigues of the court.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 高卧东山
- Pinyin: gāo wò dōng shān
- Literal Translation: high, lie, East Mountain
- Category: Lifestyle
- Characters: 4