臨渴掘井 lín kě jué jǐng

DEFINITIONS

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

CHARACTERS

臨 lín draw near, approach; descend
渴 kě
HSK 3
thirsty, parched; yearn, pine
掘 jué
HSK 6
dig, excavate; excavate cave
井 jǐng
HSK 6
well, mine shaft, pit