抱残守缺 bào cán shǒu quē

DEFINITIONS

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

CHARACTERS

抱 bào
HSK 4
embrace, hold in arms, enfold
残 cán
HSK 6
injure, spoil; oppress; broken
守 shǒu
HSK 5
defend, protect, guard, conserve
缺 quē
HSK 4
be short of, lack; gap, deficit