Definition
This four-character idiom comes from traditional Chinese opera, where 板 (bǎn) and 眼 (yǎn) refer to the strong and weak beats in a musical measure. It describes someone who acts or speaks in a very methodical, step-by-step manner, often following a strict pattern. It can be used neutrally to praise thoroughness and precision, or negatively to imply rigidity and lack of flexibility.
f.e.
following a prescribed pattern scrupulouslymethodical and meticulous(in opera) keeping strict time
Examples
- 一板一眼，。Tā zuòshì yī bǎn yī yǎn, měi yí bù dōu kǎolǜ de hěn zhōuquán.He does things very methodically, considering every step carefully.
- 一板一眼，。Zhè wèi lǎoshī jiǎngkè yī bǎn yī yǎn, xuéshēngmen juéde hěn hǎo dǒng.This teacher lectures in a very structured way, making it easy for students to understand.
- 一板一眼，。Tā chàng zhè shǒu lǎo gē yī bǎn yī yǎn, fēicháng yǒu yùnwèi.She sings this old song with strict rhythm, full of charm.
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