亦步亦趋

亦步亦趨

yìbù-yìqū

idiom #44,629

Meanings

1 to follow each step slavishly
2 to imitate someone in everything
3 to blindly do what others do

Characters

to hurry; to trot

Examples

HSK 3

小狗亦步亦趋地跟在主人后面。

Xiǎogǒu yìbùyìqū de gēn zài zhǔrén hòumiàn.

The puppy followed at its owner's heels, matching every step.

HSK 4

做研究要有自己的思考，不能亦步亦趋。

Zuò yánjiū yào yǒu zìjǐ de sīkǎo, bùnéng yìbùyìqū.

Research requires independent thinking - you can't just imitate others step for step.

HSK 6

他对老板的话亦步亦趋，从不反对。

Tā duì lǎobǎn dehuà yìbùyìqū, cóngbù fǎnduì.

He follows the boss's every word slavishly and never disagrees.

Tips

history

From 《庄子·田子方》: a disciple complains 夫子步亦步，夫子趋亦趋 - when you walk I walk, when you trot I trot - but I can never catch up. Originally about admiration, now usually critical.

memory

亦 = also; 步 = walk; 趋 = run. 'Also walk, also run' - copying every move.

Stroke Order

亦 yì

步 bù

趋 qū