东施效颦

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

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

lit. to draw a dipper with a gourd as a model (idiom); fig. to copy slavishly

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

to try to draw a tiger but end up with a likeness of a dog (idiom); to try to do sth overambitious and end up botching it

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