抱残守缺

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

CEDICT

  1. to be conservative and not receptive to new things; to be a stickler for ancient ways and things
  2. to be faithful to ancient ways and things
  3. to keep working under bad conditions

Wiktionary

固守旧有事物或思想，而不知改进变通。清．江藩《汉学师承记．卷八．顾炎武》：「岂若抱残守缺之俗儒，寻章摘句之世士也哉？」也作「保残守缺」、「补残守缺」。

重編國語辭典

固守旧有事物或思想，而不知改进变通

維基詞典

Entry Composition

1 抱 bào
  1. to hold
  2. to carry (in one's arms)
  3. to hug
  4. to embrace
  5. to surround
  6. to cherish
  7. (coll.) (of clothes) to fit nicely
2 残 cán
  1. to destroy
  2. to spoil
  3. to ruin
  4. to injure
  5. cruel
  6. oppressive
  7. savage
  8. brutal
  9. incomplete
  10. disabled
  11. to remain
  12. to survive
  13. remnant
  14. surplus
3 守 shǒu
  1. to guard
  2. to defend
  3. to keep watch
  4. to abide by the law
  5. to observe (rules or ritual)
  6. nearby
  7. adjoining
4 缺 quē
  1. deficiency
  2. lack
  3. scarce
  4. vacant post
  5. to run short of