black gauze hat worn by government officials in ancient China; also written as [[纱帽|紗帽|sha1 mao4]] or [[乌纱|烏紗|wu1 sha1]]

(metaphorical) to lose one's job or official position; literally to lose one's black gauze cap, which was worn by officials in ancient China

(dialect) To throw down one's official hat; to resign from a government post in anger or protest