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平时不烧香,临时抱佛脚
平時不燒香,臨時抱佛腳
píngshíbùshāoxiāng,línshíbàofójiǎo
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)

Character Breakdown

平
píng
flat, level, even; peaceful
HSK 3 5 丶
时
shí
time, season; period, era, age
HSK 1 7 丶
不
bù
no, not, un-; negative prefix
HSK 1 4 丶
烧
shāo
to burn, to bake; to heat, to roast
HSK 3 10 丶
香
xiāng
incense; fragrant, aromatic
HSK 3 9 丶
临
lín
to draw near, to approach; to descend
HSK 5 9 丶
时
shí
time, season; period, era, age
HSK 1 7 丶
抱
bào
to embrace, to hold in one's arms; to enfold
HSK 4 8 丶
佛
fú
Buddha; Buddhist
HSK 5 7 丶
脚
jiǎo
leg, foot; foundation, base
HSK 3 11 丶

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