face the wall; meditate; concentrate on studies; punishment
Meanings
3 senses · 7 examplesverb
to face the wall; to be indifferent or unconcerned about external affairs
literaryDescribes a state of detachment or indifference, often implying withdrawal from worldly concerns.
He sits facing the wall all day, completely indifferent to matters of the outside world.
Since that failure, he has withdrawn to face the wall alone, no longer associating with others.
verb
to meditate facing a wall (Buddhist practice); to concentrate intensively on one's studies
formalOriginates from the legend of Bodhidharma meditating facing a wall at Shaolin Temple for nine years. Figuratively used for deep academic concentration.
Bodhidharma meditated facing the wall at Shaolin Temple for nine years before finally attaining enlightenment.
To prepare for the exam, he locked himself in his study to face the wall and study intensively.
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Facing the wall for ten years with the ambition to break through; even failing to achieve the goal, one is still a hero. (Zhou Enlai's poem)
verb
to stand facing the wall (as a form of punishment)
archaicRefers to an old-fashioned disciplinary punishment, typically used in traditional schools or families.
In old-style private schools, students who didn't obey would be punished by standing facing the wall.
The teacher made him face the wall to reflect on his mistakes until he admitted his fault.