虚左以待 to leave the seat on the left vacant to show respect
Explanation
虚左以待，意思是空着左边的座位等待客人。古代以左为尊，这个成语表示对客人的尊敬和礼遇。
“Xū zuǒ yǐ dài” means to leave the left seat empty and wait for the guests. In ancient times, the left was considered the more honorable side, so this idiom expresses respect and courtesy to the guests.
Origin Story
战国时期，魏国公子信陵君魏无忌以礼贤下士著称。一次，他听说夷门监侯嬴是一位德高望重的隐士，便亲自驾车前往拜访。途中，侯嬴故意冷落信陵君，信陵君却毫不在意，依然虚左以待，将车厢内最尊贵的左座席让给侯嬴。侯嬴深受感动，最终成为信陵君的谋士，并辅佐信陵君完成窃符救赵的壮举。这个故事流传至今，成为虚左以待的典范。
During the Warring States period in ancient China, Prince Xinlingjun of the Wei state was renowned for his respect for talented people and scholars. Once, he heard of Hou Ying, a virtuous and respected hermit, and personally drove to visit him. Along the way, Hou Ying deliberately snubbed Prince Xinlingjun, but Xinlingjun remained unfazed, offering Hou Ying the most honorable seat in his carriage – the seat on the left. Deeply moved, Hou Ying became Xinlingjun's advisor, helping him to achieve the feat of stealing the military seal to save Zhao. This story remains a classic example of ‘Xū zuǒ yǐ dài’.
Usage
用于形容对客人的尊敬和礼遇，通常用于正式场合。
Used to describe respect and courtesy to guests, usually in formal occasions.
Examples
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为了表示对远道而来的贵宾的尊敬，主人虚左以待。
wèile biǎoshì duì yuǎndào ér lái de guìbīn de jūnjìng, zhǔrén xū zuǒ yǐ dài
To show respect for the distinguished guest from afar, the host offered him the seat of honor.
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公司老板虚左以待，诚心诚意地邀请技术专家加入公司。
gōngsī lǎobǎn xū zuǒ yǐ dài, chéngxīn chéngyì de yāoqǐng jìshù zhuānjiā jiārù gōngsī
The company boss received the technical expert with great respect and invited him to join the company.
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老师虚左以待，热情欢迎新来的学生。
lǎoshī xū zuǒ yǐ dài, rèqíng huānyíng xīnlái de xuésheng
The teacher welcomed the new students enthusiastically and offered them a place in class.