循规蹈矩 follow the rules
Explanation
循规蹈矩是一个成语，意思是按照规矩办事，不敢越雷池一步。褒义时指人遵守规则，做事认真；贬义时指人墨守成规，缺乏创新精神。
Xun gui dao ju is an idiom meaning to follow rules and regulations, never overstepping the boundary. In a positive sense, it refers to a person who observes the rules and does things seriously; in a negative sense, it refers to a person who follows the rules and lacks innovative spirit.
Origin Story
大观园里，为了解决财政困难，探春提议让园中姑娘们自己管理园子，并从园内挑选几个老实本分的婆子来协助。李纨和宝钗都表示赞同。几个老婆子纷纷献上承包方案，承诺除了完成日常工作外，还能额外获得收入。宝钗笑着鼓励她们：只要你们循规蹈矩，认真做事，一定会有收获的！于是，这些老婆子们按照宝钗的指示，一丝不苟地打扫庭院，料理花草，管理账目，园子里的环境焕然一新，财政状况也逐渐好转。她们的认真和努力，不仅解决了大观园的经济问题，也为其他姐妹树立了榜样。
In the Grand View Garden, to solve the financial difficulties, Tanchun proposed that the girls in the garden manage the garden themselves and select a few honest and diligent old women to assist. Li Wan and Bao Chai both agreed. Several old women presented their contracting proposals, promising to receive additional income in addition to completing their daily work. Bao Chai smiled and encouraged them: As long as you follow the rules and work hard, you will surely reap the rewards! So, these old women, following Bao Chai's instructions, meticulously cleaned the courtyard, tended the flowers and plants, managed the accounts, the garden's environment was completely renewed, and the financial situation gradually improved. Their seriousness and hard work not only solved the economic problems of Grand View Garden, but also set an example for other sisters.
Usage
该成语多用于形容人做事墨守成规，缺乏创新和变通能力，有时也用于褒义，表示做事认真负责，遵守规则。
This idiom is often used to describe a person who follows rules blindly and lacks creativity and flexibility, but sometimes also in a positive sense, to show that a person is responsible and follows the rules.
Examples
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他做事循规蹈矩，从不逾矩。
tā zuò shì xún guī dǎo jǔ, cóng bù yú jǔ
He does things according to rules and never exceeds them.
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学习要大胆创新，不能循规蹈矩。
xuéxí yào dàdǎn chuàngxīn, bù néng xún guī dǎo jǔ
Learning should be bold and innovative, do not follow rules blindly.