照葫芦画瓢

lit. to draw a dipper with a gourd as one's model (idiom); fig. to follow the existing pattern without modification

lit. to draw a gourd from the model (idiom); fig. to copy sth mechanically without attempt at originality

lit. drawing a tiger using a cat as a model (idiom); fig. to follow a model and get things more or less right but without capturing the spirit of the subject; uninspired imitation

lit. to follow the recipe (idiom); fig. to follow a set pattern

to copy the way they walk in Handan (idiom); slavishly copying others, one risks becoming a caricature

to imitate what sb else does; to follow sb's example