臨渴穿井 lín kě chuān jǐng

DEFINITIONS

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

CHARACTERS

臨 lín draw near, approach; descend
渴 kě
HSK 3
thirsty, parched; yearn, pine
穿 chuān
HSK 2
penetrate, pierce, drill; wear
井 jǐng
HSK 6
well, mine shaft, pit