门可罗雀

Origin and story

In the closing commentary to the Ji An and Zheng Dangshi biographies in Shiji (史記), volume 120, Sima Qian recalls an official known as Lord Zhai. While Zhai held office as commandant of justice, visitors crowded his gate. After he lost his position, the entrance became so empty that bird nets could have been spread there.

When he regained office and visitors wanted to return, he posted words about how changes in wealth and rank reveal the nature of friendship. The image became a description of a formerly influential person’s deserted home, and later of any place receiving very few visitors. It does not require that birds were actually caught.