← IDIOMS · CAUTION
HSK 7-9
zú足footbù不notchū出exithù户door
Not to step out of doors; to remain at home.

Literal meaning

foot (足) — not (不) — exit (出) — door (户)

Origin

A classical four-character phrase describing staying indoors.

Examples

Yīn因wèi为xià下dà大yǔ雨,tā他zú足bù不chū出hù户。
Because it was raining heavily, he stayed at home.
Yì疫qíng情qī期jiān间,wǒ我men们jǐn尽liàng量zú足bù不chū出hù户。
During the epidemic, we tried to stay at home as much as possible.

Usage & nuances

Often used to describe isolation or confinement.

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