临渴穿井 lín kě chuān jǐng

to act when it is too late

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to act when it is too late
  2. 2. lit. face thirst and dig a well (idiom); fig. not to make adequate provision

Characters

Character Meaning
临 lín HSK 5
to face; to be (just) about to; just before
渴 kě HSK 3
thirsty
穿 chuān HSK 2
to wear; to put on; to dress
井 jǐng HSK 6
a well; neat; orderly