按圖索驥 àn tú suǒ jì

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. looking for a fine horse using only a picture (idiom)
  2. fig. to do things along rigid, conventional lines
  3. to try and find sth with the help of a clue

CHARACTERS

按 àn
HSK 4
put hand on, press down with hand
圖 tú diagram; chart, map, picture
索 suǒ
HSK 5
large rope, cable; rules, laws; to demand, to exact; to search, inquire; isolated
驥 jì thoroughbred horse; refined