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按图索骥

àn tú suǒ jì

4-character word Traditional 按圖索驥

What 按图索骥 means

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

The characters in 按图索骥

• 按ànto press; to push; to leave aside or shelve
• 图túdiagram; picture; drawing
• 索suǒto search; to demand; to ask
• 骥jìthoroughbred horse; refined and virtuous