Chinese idiom · 成语
循规蹈矩
Meaning
To follow the compass and tread the square; to behave in a conventional and law-abiding manner.
Character by character
循follow
规compass/rule
蹈tread
矩square/norm
Origin and story
From Book of Rites (Lǐ jì). Originally described the strict discipline of a scholar, now means following rules strictly.