投辖留宾 — “To go to great lengths to entertain and retain guests”

投辖留宾 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to go to great lengths to entertain and retain guests”. Demonstrating extreme hospitality, metaphorically by removing the linchpins from their carriages to prevent them from leaving. Literally, “Throw linchpins to retain guests”.

Frequency

投辖留宾 Pronunciation and Pinyin

投辖留宾 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
投	tóu	7	throw, cast, or invest
辖	xiá	14	govern or control
留	liú	10	to stay, keep, or reserve
宾	bīn	10	Guest or visitor

Example Sentence with 投辖留宾

王老板为人热情好客，每次朋友来访，他都投辖留宾，尽心款待。

Mr. Wang is a warm and hospitable person; every time friends visit, he goes to great lengths to entertain and retain them, treating them with utmost care.

Origin and Story of 投辖留宾

During the late Western Han Dynasty, Chen Zun, the Administrator of Jingzhao, was known for his generous nature, talent, and extreme hospitality. Officials from various regions and heroes from all corners admired his reputation and frequently came to visit him.

Chen Zun would host grand banquets and drink with his guests. To ensure they stayed longer, he would order his servants to remove the linchpins from the guests' carriages and throw them into a well. With their carriages immobilized, the guests had no choice but to remain and continue drinking with him.