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挂冠而归
挂冠而归
挂冠而归
挂冠而归
挂冠而归
挂冠而归
挂冠而归
挂冠而归

挂冠而归 — “Hang up one's cap and return”

挂冠而归 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to resign from one's official post and return to a secluded or private life; to retire from public service and live in reclusion”. Literally, “Hang up one's cap and return”.

Frequency

挂冠而归 Pronunciation and Pinyin

挂冠而归 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
挂
guà9to hang, suspend, or worry
冠
guān9hat; crown; first place
而
ér6and, but, then
归
guī5return, go back, belong to

Example Sentence with 挂冠而归

他厌倦了职场的喧嚣,最终选择挂冠而归,享受田园生活。
He grew tired of the hustle and bustle of the workplace and eventually chose to resign from his post and return to a simpler life, enjoying a pastoral existence.

Origin and Story of 挂冠而归

During the late Western Han Dynasty, Wang Yu, son of the powerful official Wang Mang, was concerned about his father's actions creating numerous enemies. He bravely offered a remonstrance, but Wang Mang, prioritizing his perceived duty over family ties, had him executed.

Observing this, Feng Meng understood Wang Mang's true nature and concluded that such a ruler was unworthy of loyalty. Consequently, he took off his official's cap, hung it outside the East Gate of the capital, and quietly departed the city, taking his family to Liaodong.

Not long after, Wang Mang committed suicide, leading to the collapse of his Xin Dynasty.

Idioms Related to 挂冠而归

Synonyms of 挂冠而归

  • guà挂guān冠guī归qù去resign from office and return home

Antonyms of 挂冠而归

  • dōng东shān山zài再qǐ起make a comeback

More idioms starting with 挂

  • guà挂yī一lòu漏wàn万mention a few, omit many
  • guà挂guān冠guī归yǐn隐resign from office and retreat into seclusion
  • guà挂guān冠qiú求qù去resign from office and retire
  • guà挂guān冠ér而qù去resign from an official post
  • guà挂yìn印xuán悬pái牌Assume an official post
  • guà挂xí席wéi为mén门humble dwelling of a hermit
  • guà挂dēng灯jié结cǎi彩Decorate festively with lanterns and streamers
  • guà挂yáng羊tóu头mài卖gǒu狗ròu肉deceive with false advertising
  • guà挂yáng羊tóu头,,mài卖gǒu狗ròu肉advertise one thing, sell another
  • guà挂dù肚qiān牵xīn心deeply worried and anxious
  • guà挂dù肚qiān牵cháng肠deeply worried and anxious

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Questions about 挂冠而归

What does 挂冠而归 mean?

挂冠而归 (guà guān ér guī) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to resign from one's official post and return to a secluded or private life; to retire from public service and live in reclusion”.

How do you pronounce 挂冠而归?

挂冠而归 is pronounced guà guān ér guī in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 挂冠而归 literally mean?

Literally, 挂冠而归 means “Hang up one's cap and return”. It is used to mean “to resign from one's official post and return to a secluded or private life; to retire from public service and live in reclusion”.

Where does 挂冠而归 come from?

挂冠而归 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 挂冠而归?

挂冠:把官帽挂起来。脱下官帽随即离去。比喻辞官归隐

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