按圖索驥

按图索骥
àntúsuǒjì
  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

CEDICT

  1. (figurative) to try and find something with the help of a clue
  2. (figurative, derogatory) to do things along rigid, conventional lines
  3. to do things along rigid, conventional lines
  4. to try and find something with the help of a clue

Wiktionary

  1. 按照圖象尋求好馬。語本《漢書．卷六七．梅福傳》：「今不循伯者之道，乃欲以三代選舉之法取當時之士，猶察伯樂之圖，求騏驥於市，而不可得，亦已明矣。」後比喻做事拘泥成法，呆板不知變通。元．袁桷〈示從子瑛〉詩：「隔竹引龜心有想，按圖索驥術難靈。」
  2. 按照線索尋找、探求。比喻掌握線索，易於辦事。

重編國語辭典

  1. 做事拘泥成法，呆板不知變通
  2. 按照線索尋找、探求；掌握線索，易於辦事

維基詞典

Entry Composition

1 按 àn
  1. to press
  2. to push
  3. to leave aside or shelve
  4. to control
  5. to restrain
  6. to keep one's hand on
  7. to check or refer to
  8. according to
  9. in the light of
  10. (of an editor or author) to make a comment
2 圖 tú
  1. diagram
  2. picture
  3. drawing
  4. chart
  5. map
  6. to plan
  7. to scheme
  8. to attempt
  9. to pursue
  10. to seek

classifier: 張
3 索 suǒ
  1. to search
  2. to demand
  3. to ask
  4. to exact
  5. large rope
  6. isolated
4 驥 jì
  1. thoroughbred horse
  2. refined and virtuous