門もんを叩たたく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

knock at the gate; knock on the door

Literal action of knocking on a gate or door, often at an entrance.

• 夜よる遅おそくに誰だれかが門もんを叩たたいた。

  Late at night, someone knocked at the gate.

expression, godan verb (-ku)

request apprenticeship; ask to become a pupil

Figurative use: seeking admission as a student or apprentice, often by approaching a master or teacher.

• 彼かれは有ゆう名めいな画が家かの門もんを叩たたいて弟で子し入いりを願ねがった。

  He knocked on the door of a famous painter, asking to become his apprentice.