三顾茅庐

三顾茅庐

Literally means:

make three calls at the thatched cottage

Actually means:

repeatedly request somebody to take up a post

It is from the story in the Three Kingdoms period. Emperor Liu Bei of Shu State called on Zhuge Liang, the mastermind, three times to invite him to help fight the battle and win the ruling power. 顾, visit; 茅庐, thatched cottage.

This phrase now means earnest and sincere invitation or request. It connotes that, if you wish to get the help of capable people, you must show them due respect and invite them earnestly and sincerely.

出自三国时，蜀国皇帝刘备三次拜访诸葛亮，请他帮助打天下的故事。顾，拜访。茅庐，草屋，用草盖的房子。

三顾茅庐，比喻诚心诚意，再三邀请强调要想得到有才能的人，必须恭恭敬敬，诚诚恳恳地去邀请。