平时不烧香，临时抱佛脚 in English ping2 shi2 bu4 shao1 xiang1 , lin2 shi2 bao4 fo2 jiao3 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (idiomatic expression); metaphorically to profess devotion only when in trouble
  • doing things at the last minute
  • to make a hasty last-minute effort (often refers to cramming for exams)

Simplified Characters

平 时 不 烧 香 ， 临 时 抱 佛 脚

Traditional Characters

平 時 不 燒 香 ， 臨 時 抱 佛 腳

Pinyin

ping2 shi2 bu4 shao1 xiang1 , lin2 shi2 bao4 fo2 jiao3

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

平ping2surname Ping 时shi2old variant of 時|时[shi2] 不bu4(negative prefix) 烧shao1to burn 香xiang1fragrant ， 临lin2to face 时shi2old variant of 時|时[shi2] 抱bao4to hold 佛fu2Buddha 脚jiao3foot