The idiom 'Jie Xia Qiu' (阶下囚) originates from Chapter 19 of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms'. After Lu Bu was defeated by Cao Cao and captured, he was tied up at Baomen Tower.

Seeing Liu Bei, who was then an honored guest of Cao Cao, Lu Bu, hoping for a chance to save his life, appealed to Liu Bei, saying, 'You are an honored guest (座上客), while I am a prisoner under the steps (阶下囚). Why don't you say a word to intercede for me?'

Originally, 'Jie Xia Qiu' referred to a prisoner confined at the foot of the court steps, awaiting trial. The idiom now describes a person who has been utterly defeated, disgraced, and is in a helpless or captive state, often becoming the target of criticism.