Definition
打入冷宫 is a chengyu (set phrase) meaning 'to consign to limbo' or 'to shelve indefinitely'. It literally refers to the historical practice of banishing a concubine to the 'cold palace' — a remote, neglected part of the palace. Today you can use it for projects, ideas, or people that are deliberately ignored or put aside. It's a separable verb (离合词): the object or measure word can go between 打 and 入冷宫, e.g. 把这个方案打入冷宫 ('shelve this plan').
v.o.
to consign to limboto shelve indefinitelyto banish from attention
Examples
- 打入冷宫，。Zhège jìhuà bèi dá le, méi rén zài tí.This plan was shelved indefinitely; no one mentions it anymore.
- 。Lǎobǎn bǎ tā de jiànyì dǎ rù le lěnggōng.The boss banished his suggestion to limbo.
- 打入冷宫。Nà bù diànyǐng shàngyìng hòu jiù bèi dá le.That movie was consigned to limbo after its release.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.