Definition
This chengyu (four-character idiom) literally means 'step when [someone else] steps, walk fast when [they] walk fast'. It describes someone who blindly imitates or follows others without independent judgment. The phrase usually carries a negative tone: it criticizes lack of originality or the habit of copying others. You can use it in contexts where someone simply copies another person's actions, opinions, or style.
f.e.
to slavishly imitateto blindly follow suit
Examples
- ,亦步亦趋。Zài gōngzuò zhōng yào yǒu zhǔjiàn, bú yào duì lǐngdǎo yì bù yì qū.At work you need to have your own ideas; don't blindly imitate your boss.
- 亦步亦趋,。Tā zǒngshì yì bù yì qū de mófǎng biérén de chuānyī fēnggé, méiyǒu zìjǐ de gèxìng.He always slavishly imitates other people's dressing styles and has no personality of his own.
- ,亦步亦趋。Xuéxí biérén hǎo de dìfang shì kěyǐ de, dàn yíwèi yì bù yì qū fǎn'ér huì shīqù zìwǒ.It's fine to learn from others' strengths, but blindly following them will instead make you lose yourself.
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