临渴掘井 lín kě jué jǐng

to be unprepared and seek help at the last minute (idiom)

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to be unprepared and seek help at the last minute (idiom)
  2. 2. lit. not to dig a well until one is thirsty

Characters

Character Meaning
临 lín HSK 5
to face; to be (just) about to; just before
渴 kě HSK 3
thirsty
掘 jué HSK 6
to dig
井 jǐng HSK 6
a well; neat; orderly