循规蹈矩 — “To follow the rules and conventions strictly”
循规蹈矩 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to follow the rules and conventions strictly”. To be conventional, disciplined, and sometimes overly cautious or unoriginal, unwilling to deviate from established norms. Literally, “follow the compass and square; follow rules and regulations”.
循规蹈矩 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 循xún
- 规guī
- 蹈dǎo
- 矩jǔ
循规蹈矩 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 循规蹈矩
Origin and Story of 循规蹈矩
During a period of financial difficulty in the Grand View Garden, Tanchun suggested that the living areas for the young ladies no longer require external management. Instead, she proposed selecting a few honest and reliable individuals from within the garden to take charge.
Li Wan and Baochai both voiced their strong support for this idea.
Subsequently, many old maids enthusiastically presented their proposals to contract the management, promising significant additional annual income.
Baochai then advised them, saying that as long as they worked diligently and strictly adhered to the established rules and norms, they would surely achieve success and gain rewards.
Idioms Related to 循规蹈矩
Synonyms of 循规蹈矩
Antonyms of 循规蹈矩
More idioms starting with 循
- xún循míng名xiào校shí实verify substance by name
- xún循míng名hé核shí实verify reality against name
- xún循míng名dū督shí实Verify reality against reputation
- xún循míng名kǎo考shí实verify facts against descriptions
- xún循míng名hé覈shí实verify substance against title
- xún循míng名kè课shí实assess reality by name
- xún循míng名zé责shí实hold accountable to stated responsibilities
- xún循qiáng墙ér而zǒu走act timidly and compliantly
- xún循cháng常xí习gù故Adhere to old practices
- xún循cháng常xí袭gù故follow old ways and resist innovation
- xún循xù序jiàn渐jìn进proceed step by step gradually
- xún循xún循shàn善yòu诱guide patiently and systematically
Questions about 循规蹈矩
- What does 循规蹈矩 mean?
- 循规蹈矩 (xún guī dǎo jǔ) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to follow the rules and conventions strictly”.
- How do you pronounce 循规蹈矩?
- 循规蹈矩 is pronounced xún guī dǎo jǔ in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 循规蹈矩 literally mean?
- Literally, 循规蹈矩 means “follow the compass and square; follow rules and regulations”. It is used to mean “to follow the rules and conventions strictly”.
- Where does 循规蹈矩 come from?
- 循规蹈矩 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 循规蹈矩?
- 循、蹈：遵循，依照。规、矩是定方圆的标准工具，借指行为的准则。原指遵守规矩，不敢违反。现也指拘守旧准则，不敢稍做变动。