follow convention; imitate slavishly
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to follow old precedents; to imitate slavishly; to be unoriginal
literaryA formal, slightly literary term, often used to criticize a lack of creativity or innovation by mindlessly following established methods or paths.
Yì艺
shù术
chuàng创
zuò作
guì贵
zài在
chuàng创
xīn新
，
qiè切
jì忌
dǎo蹈
xí袭
qián前
rén人
。
The value of artistic creation lies in innovation; one must avoid slavishly imitating predecessors.
Tā他
de的
lùn论
wén文
háo毫
wú无
xīn新
yì意
，
bù不
guò过
shì是
dǎo蹈
xí袭
jiù旧
shuō说
。
His thesis has no originality; it merely follows old theories.
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Lì历
shǐ史
shàng上
yīn因
zhèng政
cè策
dǎo蹈
xí袭
fù覆
zhé辙
ér而
shī失
bài败
de的
lì例
zi子
bǐ比
bǐ比
jiē皆
shì是
。
Throughout history, examples of failure due to policies retreading old steps are numerous.
Wǒ我
men们
yīng应
kāi开
tuò拓
xīn新
lù路
，
ér而
fēi非
yī一
wèi味
dǎo蹈
xí袭
chén陈
guī规
。
We should blaze new trails instead of blindly following old conventions.