投筆

投笔
tóubǐ
  1. (literary, figurative, of a writer) to cease writing; to forsake the pen (for something else)
  2. to cease writing; to forsake the pen (for something else)

Wiktionary

Entry Composition

1 投 tóu
  1. to throw (sth in a specific direction: ball, javelin, grenade etc)
  2. to cast (a ballot)
  3. to cast (a glance, a shadow etc)
  4. to put in (money for investment, a coin to operate a slot machine)
  5. to send (a letter, a manuscript etc)
  6. to throw oneself into (a river, a well etc to commit suicide)
  7. to go to; to seek refuge; to place oneself into the hands of
  8. (coll.) to rinse (clothes) in water
2 筆 bǐ
  1. brushstroke; stroke (in painting or calligraphy)
  2. (bound form) style of writing; literary manner; technique of brushwork
  3. (classifier) stroke of a Chinese character
  4. (classifier) sum of money; financial transaction; piece of business
  5. (literary) to write (with a brush or pen)

classifiers: 支, 枝

Containing this entry

投筆從戎 tóubǐcóngróng
  1. to lay down the pen and take up the sword (idiom)
  2. to join the military (esp. of educated person)