be caught unprepared; rush unprepared
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to be caught unprepared; to be in a frantic rush due to lack of preparation
informalUsed colloquially to describe panic or confusion resulting from poor planning. Often used with '免得' or '别' as a warning.
Zǎo早
diǎn点
er儿
zuò做
hǎo好
zhǔn准
bèi备
，
miǎn免
de得
lín临
shí时
zhuā抓
xiā瞎
。
Prepare early so you won't be caught unprepared at the last minute.
Míng明
tiān天
jiù就
yào要
kǎo考
shì试
le了
，
tā他
dào到
xiàn现
zài在
hái还
méi没
fù复
xí习
，
dào到
shí时
hòu候
yòu又
yào要
zhuā抓
xiā瞎
。
The exam is tomorrow, and he still hasn't reviewed yet; he'll be in a panic when the time comes.
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Chū出
mén门
lǚ旅
xíng行
yī一
dìng定
yào要
tí提
qián前
dìng订
hǎo好
jiǔ酒
diàn店
，
bié别
dào到
le了
dì地
fang方
zhuā抓
xiā瞎
。
When traveling, you must book hotels in advance; don't be left scrambling after you arrive.
Píng平
shí时
bù不
jī积
lěi累
sù素
cái材
，
xiě写
zuò作
de的
shí时
hòu候
hěn很
róng容
yì易
zhuā抓
xiā瞎
。
If you don't accumulate materials normally, it's easy to be at a loss when it's time to write.