‘亦步亦趋’ is a classical idiom meaning to follow someone slavishly or imitate them blindly—like a shadow copying every step and movement. Literally, ‘亦’ means ‘also’ or ‘likewise’, ‘步’ means ‘to walk’, and ‘趋’ means ‘to hasten’ or ‘to hurry forward’. Together, the phrase paints an image of someone mechanically mirroring another’s pace and direction without independent thought—originally evoking the behavior of a fawning follower or even an animal closely trailing its master.

This idiom carries a distinctly negative connotation, often criticizing uncritical imitation in intellectual, cultural, or professional contexts—such as students parroting teachers, companies copying competitors without innovation, or policies being adopted abroad without local adaptation. It appears frequently in formal writing, essays, and media commentary, and is rarely used in casual speech due to its literary tone and critical edge.