三さん顧この礼れい

expression, noun

special courtesy to persuade someone to take a post

Formal, idiomatic expression originating from the story of Liu Bei visiting Zhuge Liang three times. Used when someone shows exceptional respect and persistence to recruit a talented person.

• 社しゃ長ちょうは三さん顧この礼れいをもって彼かれを迎むかえた。

  The company president welcomed him with the utmost courtesy to persuade him to join.

• 三さん顧この礼れいを尽つくして、ようやく彼かの女じょは顧こ問もん就しゅう任にんを承しょう諾だくした。

  After showing her every possible courtesy, she finally agreed to take the advisory post.