idiom · To follow established rules and act according to convention; to be well-behaved and law-abiding (literally: to follow the compass and go with the set square).

他为人处事循规蹈矩，深受长辈们的喜爱。

idiom · To adhere to rules or standard practices in a rigid, unimaginative, or overly cautious manner.

如果在艺术创作中只是一味地循规蹈矩，就很难有真正的突破。