抱佛脚 bào fó jiǎo

panic measures in place of timely preparation

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency 31207th word

Definitions

  1. 1. panic measures in place of timely preparation
  2. 2. lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet (without ever having burned incense) (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble

Characters

Character Meaning
抱 bào HSK 4
to hug; to hold; to carry (in one's arms)
佛 fó HSK 5
seemingly; (female) head ornament; variant of 彿fú
脚 jiǎo HSK 3
foot; leg (of an animal or an object); base (of an object)