not dig a well until thirsty; start acting when it's too late
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
start digging a well when thirsty; act only when the problem is imminent
literaryUsed to criticize a lack of foresight or poor planning. Functions as a predicate, attributive, or adverbial. Near-synonym to '临阵磨枪' (start sharpening weapons before battle).
Píng平
shí时
bù不
fù复
xí习
，
kǎo考
shì试
qián前
tōng通
xiāo宵
kàn看
shū书
，
zhè这
jiù就
shì是
lín临
kě渴
jué掘
jǐng井
。
Not reviewing regularly and cramming all night before the exam is like digging a well when thirsty.
Wǒ我
men们
děi得
tí提
qián前
chǔ储
bèi备
wù物
zī资
，
bù不
néng能
lín临
kě渴
jué掘
jǐng井
。
We must stock up on supplies in advance and not wait until we're thirsty to dig a well.
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Tā他
zhè这
zhǒng种
lín临
kě渴
jué掘
jǐng井
de的
zuò做
fǎ法
，
zuì最
hòu后
wǎng往
wǎng往
dǎo导
zhì致
shī失
bài败
。
His approach of acting only at the last minute often leads to failure.