The idiom literally means that a wily hare prepares several burrows to hide. It is used to indicate having more hiding places or methods.

The proverb comes from a story in Stratagems of the Warring States. Lord Mengchang of the Qi State in the Warring States Period had a hanger-on named Feng Yuan. Once, Feng was sent to the area of Xue to collect debts. When he got there, he found that all obligors were poor, so he cancelled the debts in the name of Lord Mengchang and burned all of the bonds. On his return, Feng told Lord Mengchang that he had bought benevolence and unrighteousness for the latter.

Later, Lord Mengchang was deposed and had to live in Xue. Hearing the news, the local people, young and old, all walked dozens of li and lined the road to welcome him. At this moment, Lord Mengchang finally realized the value of benevolence and unrighteousness that Feng Yuan had bought for him. He expressed his gratitude to Feng, who replied, "Only with three burrows can a wily hare avoid the risk of death. Now you have only one resting place, so you cannot rest easy yet."