to be refused admission; to be turned away at the door; to get the cold shoulder
我原本想去拜访老朋友，没想到他出门了，我只好吃了闭门羹
I originally intended to visit an old friend, but he was out, so I was turned away at the door.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
In ancient Xuancheng, there lived a renowned courtesan named Shi Feng, celebrated for her beauty, charm, singing, and dancing. Many wealthy young men and admirers flocked to her establishment, often crowding it.
Shi Feng categorized her visitors: for high-ranking guests, she would graciously come downstairs to greet them and even prepare a delicious soup as a sign of welcome.
However, for those she considered of lower status, she was unwilling to meet them. She would shut her door, refusing them entry, and this act of rejection was known as making them 'eat closed-door soup' (闭门羹).
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