一板一眼

一板一眼:

Literally means:

a Ban and a Yan

Actually means:

follow a set pattern; be scrupulous and methodical

板 and 眼 are both time measurements in traditional Chinese music or opera.

This phrase figuratively means that one speaks or performs in a scrupulous and orderly manner.

It may also refer to doing something in a rigid and stiff way.

板、眼，中国音乐戏曲的节拍。

一板一眼，比喻说话、做事死板，不步一步地认真做下去。也比喻做事有条理，会变通。