画地为牢 huàdì-wéiláo [restrict sb.'s activities to a designated area or sphere by drawing a circle on the ground as a prison] 上古时民情淳厚,对有罪的人,只须在地上画个圈,让人立于圈内作为惩 …
画地为牢/畫地為牢 [Pinyin] huà dì wéi láo [English meaning] lit. to be confined within a circle drawn on the ground (idiom)/fig. to confine oneself to a restricted range of activities [Synonym] …