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临时抱佛脚
臨時抱佛腳
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. making a hasty last-minute effort

Character Breakdown

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

Compound Words (1)

平时不烧香，临时抱佛脚
píngshíbùshāoxiāng,línshíbàofójiǎo
lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble

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Chinese