noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb
turning away at the door; refusing entry; shutting the door on someone
Literal refusal of a visitor at the entrance, often before they can state their business. Can be used as a noun or with する as a transitive verb.
セールスマンは門前払いされた。
The salesman was turned away at the door.
突然の訪問者を門前払いする
I feel bad about shutting the door on an unexpected visitor.
noun
rejecting out of hand; dismissing without consideration
Figurative extension: refusing a proposal, idea, or request without proper examination, as if slamming the door on it.
彼の提案は門前払いだった。
His proposal was rejected out of hand.
新しいアイデアを門前払いせず、まず聞いてみよう。
Let's not dismiss the new idea without consideration; let's hear it out first.
noun
being chased from a magistrate's gate (Edo-period punishment)
Historical term: the lightest punishment in the Edo period, where an offender was driven away from the magistrate's office gate. Rarely used outside historical contexts.
See also: 奉行所
江戸時代、軽い罪では門前払いになることがあった。
In the Edo period, minor offenses could result in being chased away from the magistrate's gate.