按图索骥

Traditional: 按圖索驥

àn tú suǒ jì

Dictionary entry

lit. looking for a fine horse using only a picture (idiom)

What does 按图索骥 mean?

按图索骥 (àn tú suǒ jì) has the following dictionary meaning.

1lit. looking for a fine horse using only a picture (idiom)

2fig. to do things along rigid, conventional lines

3to try and find sth with the help of a clue

Character breakdown

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按ànto press · to push 图túdiagram · picture 索Suǒsurname Suo · abbr. for 索馬里|索马里[Suo3 ma3 li3], Somalia 骥jìthoroughbred horse · refined and virtuous

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How to pronounce 按图索骥

按图索骥

àn tú suǒ jì

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Base dictionary data: CC-CEDICT · CC BY-SA 4.0.