Senses
刻鹄类鹜/ 刻鵠類鶩 aiming high with respectable results
To aim to carve a swan and end up with a duck; used to mean that even if one fails to reach a lofty goal, one still achieves something decent and remains a person of integrity
刻鹄类鹜/ 刻鵠類鶩 failed imitation
To attempt an imitation and fail, resulting in something incongruous or making a fool of oneself; to have things turn out contrary to expectations