抱残守缺 bào cán shǒu quē

cling to old ways; stubbornly resist change

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to cherish the outmoded and preserve the outworn (idiom); conservative
  2. 2. stickler for tradition

Characters

Character Meaning
抱 bào HSK 4
to hug; to hold; to carry (in one's arms)
残 cán HSK 6
incomplete; disabled; remnant
守 shǒu HSK 5
to guard; to observe (rules or ritual); to abide by the law
缺 quē HSK 4
lack; to run short of; deficiency