平時不燒香，臨時抱佛腳 píng shí bù shāo xiāng ， lín shí bào fó jiǎo

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble
  2. doing things at the last minute
  3. to make a hasty last-minute effort (often refers to cramming for exams)

CHARACTERS

平 píng
HSK 3
flat, level, even; peaceful
時 shí time, season; era, age, period
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
燒 shāo burn; bake; heat; roast
香 xiāng
HSK 3
fragrant, sweet-smelling; incense
臨 lín draw near, approach; descend
時 shí time, season; era, age, period
抱 bào
HSK 4
embrace, hold in arms, enfold
佛 fó
HSK 5
Buddha; of Buddhism; merciful person; Buddhist image; the dead (Jap.)
腳 jiǎo foot; base, leg, foundation