依样画葫芦 yī yàng huà hú lu

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. to draw a gourd from the model (idiom)
  2. fig. to copy sth mechanically without attempt at originality

CHARACTERS

依 yī rely on, be set in; consent, obey a wish
样 yàng shape, form, pattern, style
画 huà a painting, picture, drawing; to draw
葫 hú bottle-gourd
芦 lu rushes, reeds