English Original
In the Three Kingdoms period, during a battle between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, Liu Bei ordered his generals Zhao Yun and Huang Zhong to capture Cao Cao's supplies. In response, Cao Cao led a large force to attack Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun retreated to his camp gates, where he ordered his soldiers to lower the banners, silence the war drums, and leave the gates wide open. He then stationed his troops in ambush nearby. When Cao Cao arrived and saw the scene, he immediately suspected a trap and withdrew his forces.
This idiom is now used metaphorically to mean halting an attack or ceasing all activities.
中文翻译
三国时期，在一次曹操与刘备的交战中，刘备命将领赵云和黄忠去夺取曹操的粮草。曹操遂率大军攻打赵云。赵云退至营寨门口，命令部下偃旗息鼓，并大开营门。他则将部队埋伏在附近。曹操率军赶到，见此情景，疑有埋伏，立即撤兵。
这个成语现在用来比喻停止进攻或停止一切活动。