抱佛脚 in English bao4 fo2 jiao3 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) to clasp the Buddha's feet (without ever having burned incense) (idiomatic expression); metaphorically to profess devotion only when in trouble
  • panic measures in place of timely preparation

Simplified Characters

抱 佛 脚

Traditional Characters

抱 佛 腳

Pinyin

bao4 fo2 jiao3

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

抱bao4to hold 佛fu2Buddha 脚jiao3foot