开门揖盗 — “To invite trouble or danger by welcoming harmful elements”

开门揖盗 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to invite trouble or danger by welcoming harmful elements”. To make a situation worse by allowing malicious people or influences in. Literally, “Open the door and bow to robbers”.

Frequency

开门揖盗 Pronunciation and Pinyin

开门揖盗 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
开	kāi	4	open, start, operate
门	mén	3	door, gate, entrance
揖	yī	12	bow with cupped hands
盗	dào	11	steal or a thief

Example Sentence with 开门揖盗

如果公司管理层不严格把控，随意让不怀好意的人加入，那简直是开门揖盗，自毁前程

If the company's management doesn't strictly control who joins and carelessly allows people with ill intentions to enter, it would be akin to opening the door to robbers, destroying its own prospects.

Origin and Story of 开门揖盗

In 221 AD, Xu Gong, the governor of Wujun, observed Sun Ce's growing influence in Jiangdong. He wrote a letter to Emperor Xian of Han, requesting Sun Ce's reassignment. However, the letter was intercepted, and Xu Gong was subsequently killed.

Three of Xu Gong's retainers, determined to avenge his death, ambushed Sun Ce during a hunting expedition and wounded him with arrows.

Upon returning from the hunt, Sun Ce's injuries worsened. Before his death, he summoned his Chief Clerk, Zhang Zhao, and his younger brother, Sun Quan, entrusting them with his affairs and bestowing the imperial seal upon Sun Quan.

After Sun Ce's passing, Sun Quan was overwhelmed with grief. Zhang Zhao, however, advised him, "Currently, wicked individuals are causing chaos and vying for power. Jackals and wolves are running rampant. If you only wallow in sorrow and neglect important matters, it would be like opening the door and inviting robbers in, thereby bringing disaster upon yourself."

Persuaded by Zhang Zhao's counsel, Sun Quan composed himself. Zhang Zhao then helped Sun Quan change his attire, assisted him onto his horse, and led him to inspect the troops. With a new lord, the stability of Eastern Wu was restored. Later, it became one of the three kingdoms, alongside Shu and Wei.