follow rules rigidly; stick to convention; inflexible
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesidiom
to rigidly adhere to convention; to be inflexible; to stick to old ways without daring to change
derogatoryModern usage, often carrying a negative connotation implying lack of creativity or adaptability.
Zài在
zhè这
gè个
kuài快
sù速
biàn变
huà化
de的
shí时
dài代
，
xún循
guī规
dǎo蹈
jǔ矩
de的
qǐ企
yè业
hěn很
nán难
shēng生
cún存
。
In this rapidly changing era, companies that rigidly stick to conventions find it hard to survive.
Zuò做
shì事
bù不
néng能
guò过
yú于
xún循
guī规
dǎo蹈
jǔ矩
，
yào要
gǎn敢
yú于
chuàng创
xīn新
。
You can't be too rigid in doing things; you must dare to innovate.
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Rú如
guǒ果
zǒng总
shì是
xún循
guī规
dǎo蹈
jǔ矩
，
jiù就
hěn很
nán难
yǒu有
suǒ所
tū突
pò破
。
If you always stick to conventions, it's hard to make any breakthroughs.
idiom
to follow rules and regulations properly; to behave in a correct and proper manner (original meaning)
neutralOriginal meaning, often with a neutral or positive connotation, emphasizing proper conduct.
Tā他
wéi为
rén人
xún循
guī规
dǎo蹈
jǔ矩
，
shēn深
shòu受
zhǎng长
bèi辈
xǐ喜
ài爱
。
He behaves properly and is deeply liked by his elders.
Zài在
nà那
gè个
nián年
dài代
，
dà大
jiā家
dōu都
xún循
guī规
dǎo蹈
jǔ矩
de地
shēng生
huó活
。
In that era, everyone lived by the rules.
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Xún循
guī规
dǎo蹈
jǔ矩
suī虽
xiǎn显
de得
bǎo保
shǒu守
，
què却
yě也
shì是
yī一
zhǒng种
nán难
dé得
de的
zì自
lǜ律
。
Although following the rules may seem conservative, it is also a rare form of self-discipline.