绳趋尺步 — “To conduct oneself with utmost propriety and precision”
绳趋尺步 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to conduct oneself with utmost propriety and precision”. To act strictly according to rules and decorum. Literally, “Follow the rope, walk by the ruler”.
绳趋尺步 Pronunciation and Pinyin
绳趋尺步 Character Breakdown
Stroke OrderExample Sentence with 绳趋尺步
Origin and Story of 绳趋尺步
During the Southern Song Dynasty, the imperial court was divided over the "Neo-Confucianism" (Dao Xue) promoted by Zhu Xi.
The powerful official Han Tuozhou strongly opposed Zhu Xi, branding Dao Xue as a "false teaching" and alleging that its proponents were forming a faction with ambitions to seize power.
In this tense atmosphere, the adherents of Neo-Confucianism had to be extremely cautious, ensuring their every move was perfectly in line with propriety and rules (acting with utmost propriety).
Someone once suggested to Zhu Xi that he should dissolve his academy, but Zhu Xi merely smiled without giving a direct answer.
Idioms Related to 绳趋尺步
Synonyms of 绳趋尺步
More idioms starting with 绳
- shéng绳yī一jiè戒bǎi百punish one to warn many
- shéng绳zhī之yǐ以fǎ法punish according to the law
- shéng绳xiān先qǐ启hòu后inherit the past and usher in the future
- shéng绳qí其zǔ祖wǔ武follow in ancestors' footsteps
- shéng绳jué厥zǔ祖wǔ武continue ancestral legacy
- shéng绳mò墨zhī之yán言wise and ethical advice
- shéng绳chuáng床wǎ瓦zào灶extremely poor living conditions
- shéng绳qiān愆jiū纠miù缪correct faults and rectify errors
- shéng绳qiān愆jiū纠miù谬correct errors and rectify mistakes
- shéng绳qiān愆jiū纠wéi违identify and correct faults
- shéng绳kǔn捆suǒ索bǎng绑bind tightly with ropes
- shéng绳shū枢zhī之shì士a person from a very humble and impoverished background
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Open the tool →Questions about 绳趋尺步
What does 绳趋尺步 mean?
绳趋尺步 (shéng qū chǐ bù) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to conduct oneself with utmost propriety and precision”.
How do you pronounce 绳趋尺步?
绳趋尺步 is pronounced shéng qū chǐ bù in Mandarin Chinese.
What does 绳趋尺步 literally mean?
Literally, 绳趋尺步 means “Follow the rope, walk by the ruler”. It is used to mean “to conduct oneself with utmost propriety and precision”.
Where does 绳趋尺步 come from?
绳趋尺步 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
What is the Chinese definition of 绳趋尺步?
绳、尺：木工校曲直、量长短的工具，引伸为法度；趋：快走；步：行走。指举动符合规矩，毫不随便。