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
Definitions (Wiktionary)
phrase, idiomatic
to copy or imitate slavishly without attempt at originality (syn.) 依樣畫葫蘆, 照葫芦画瓢, 依样画葫芦, 照葫蘆畫瓢