屏退 (bǐngtuì) is a formal, literary verb meaning 'to dismiss (subordinates)'—typically used when a superior orders attendants, guards, or staff to withdraw from a room or presence. The first character 屏 (bǐng) means 'to screen off' or 'to block', suggesting exclusion or removal from proximity; the second character 退 (tuì) means 'to withdraw' or 'to retreat'. Together, they convey the deliberate act of clearing people out, often for privacy, solemnity, or confidentiality. This term appears frequently in historical dramas, classical literature, and formal administrative contexts—not in casual daily speech.

It implies authority and hierarchy: the subject is almost always someone in power (e.g., an emperor, official, or senior executive), and the object is subordinate personnel. While grammatically it can take an object (e.g., 屏退侍从), it’s often used intransitively with context making the dismissed group clear. It carries connotations of dignity, control, and formality—and may subtly suggest distance or aloofness.