一板一眼 strictly follow the rules
Explanation
这个成语比喻做事有条理，按部就班，不偏不倚，做事按规矩、按章法办事，一丝不苟。也比喻言语、行动有条理或合规矩。有时也比喻做事死板，不懂得灵活掌握。
This idiom refers to doing things in an orderly and systematic way, following the rules and procedures without deviation. It also describes someone who is strict and rigid in their behavior. Sometimes, it implies that someone is inflexible and unable to adapt.
Origin Story
在一个偏远的小村庄里，住着一位名叫老张的木匠。老张一生勤劳朴实，以做木匠为生。他做东西非常精细，每一件家具都做工精良，一板一眼，没有一丝差错。村里人都说老张做东西是“一板一眼，绝对不会出错”。 有一天，村里来了一位富商，他听说老张手艺高超，便请他帮忙做一件精美的家具。老张答应了，他拿出最好的木材，一板一眼地开始制作。他每天都工作到深夜，精雕细琢，一丝不苟。 终于，家具做好了。富商前来验货，看到家具做工精良，非常满意。他付给老张丰厚的报酬，并夸赞老张的手艺高超。 老张笑着说：“这都是一板一眼做出来的，没有什么特别的。” 富商却说：“你这样的手艺，可不是一般人能做出来的。你这种一板一眼的精神，值得我学习。” 老张听后，只是微微一笑，继续埋头工作。他知道，一板一眼的精神是做任何事都要具备的，只有认真细致，才能做出最好的作品。
In a remote village, there lived a carpenter named Old Zhang. Old Zhang was diligent and honest all his life, making a living as a carpenter. He was very meticulous in his work, each piece of furniture was well-made, strictly following the rules, without any mistakes. The villagers all said that Old Zhang's furniture was "strict and accurate, never wrong". One day, a wealthy merchant came to the village. He had heard of Old Zhang's superb craftsmanship and asked him to help make a beautiful piece of furniture. Old Zhang agreed, he took out the best wood and began to make it strictly following the rules. He worked late into the night every day, meticulously carving and polishing. Finally, the furniture was done. The merchant came to inspect the goods, seeing the furniture was well-made, he was very satisfied. He paid Old Zhang a generous reward and praised Old Zhang's superb craftsmanship. Old Zhang smiled and said: "This is all made by strict and accurate work, nothing special." The merchant said: "Your craftsmanship is not something ordinary people can do. Your spirit of strictness and accuracy is worth learning from." Old Zhang just smiled slightly and continued to work. He knew that the spirit of strictness and accuracy is necessary for doing anything, only by being careful and detailed can we make the best work.
Usage
形容做事有条理，按部就班，不偏不倚。也形容言语、行动有条理或合规矩。有时也比喻做事死板，不懂得灵活掌握。
This idiom describes someone who does things in an orderly and systematic way, without deviating from the rules. It can also describe someone who is strict and rigid in their behavior.
Examples
-
老师讲课一板一眼，循循善诱。
lǎo shī jiǎng kè yī bǎn yīn yǎn, xún xún shàn yòu.
The teacher lectures systematically and patiently.
-
他的工作一板一眼，从不马虎。
tā de gōng zuò yī bǎn yīn yǎn, cóng bù mǎ hu.
He works in a very orderly manner, never careless.
-
他说话一板一眼，让人觉得很严肃。
tā shuō huà yī bǎn yīn yǎn, ràng rén jué de hěn yán sù.
He speaks in a very orderly way, which makes people feel very serious.