門もん前ぜん雀じゃく羅ら

noun

deserted house with few visitors; sparrow net in front of the gate

A yojijukugo describing a house that has become deserted and receives few visitors, often because the owner has lost power or influence. The literal image is of a sparrow net set in front of the gate, suggesting so few people come that one could catch sparrows there.

• 大だい臣じんが失しっ脚きゃくした後あと、彼かれの家いえは門もん前ぜん雀じゃく羅らの状じょう態たいだった。

  After the minister fell from power, his house was in a state of 門前雀羅, with hardly any visitors.