To imitate something but fail to achieve perfect resemblance, yet still manage to produce something similar, though perhaps of a lesser quality; to produce an approximation.
他的画技虽不精湛，但每次临摹名作，总能刻鹄类鹜，让人一眼便看出原画的影子。
Although his painting skills are not superb, every time he copies a masterpiece, he always manages to carve a swan and resemble a duck, allowing people to instantly see the shadow of the original work.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, General Ma Yuan wrote a letter to his nephew, advising him to learn from the cautious and incorruptible Long Shu, and not from the chivalrous Du Bao.
He explained that if one tries to emulate Long Shu but fails, one might still become a prudent person, just like attempting to carve a swan but ending up with something resembling a duck.
However, if one tries to emulate Du Bao and fails, one might become a frivolous and irresponsible person, which is like trying to draw a tiger but ending up with a dog.
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