The Chinese phrase "吃闭门羹" is formed by combining the verb "吃" (to eat) with the object "闭门羹", where "闭门" (closed door) modifies "羹" (soup) to create a compound noun. Its structure derives from an anecdote where a visitor was served soup instead of being admitted, symbolizing rejection, thus giving the phrase its idiomatic meaning of being denied entry or refused.