按图索骥 in English an4 tu2 suo3 ji4 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) looking for a fine horse using only a picture (idiomatic expression)
  • metaphorically to do things along rigid, conventional lines
  • to try and find sth with the help of a clue

Simplified Characters

按 图 索 骥

Traditional Characters

按 圖 索 驥

Pinyin

an4 tu2 suo3 ji4

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

按an4to press 图tu2diagram 索suo3surname Suo 骥ji4thoroughbred horse