循规蹈矩

循規蹈矩

xúnguī-dǎojǔ

idiom #14,418

Meanings

1 to follow the rules
2 to act by the book
3 to be conventional

Characters

set square; rule

Examples

他是一个循规蹈矩的人。

Tā shì yīgè xúnguīdǎojǔ de rén.

He's a person who plays by the rules.

创新需要打破循规蹈矩的思维。

Chuàngxīn xūyào dǎpò xúnguīdǎojǔ de sīwéi.

Innovation requires breaking out of conventional thinking.

Tips

history

Literally 'follow the compass and tread the set square' — 规 (compass) and 矩 (set square) are traditional tools for drawing circles and right angles, symbolizing rules and norms.

Stroke Order

循 xún

规 guī

蹈 dǎo

矩 jǔ