臨渴掘井

Chinese

 
to face; to overlook; to arrive; to be (just) about to; just before
thirsty to dig a well
trad. (臨渴掘井) 掘井
simp. (临渴掘井) 掘井
variant forms 臨噎掘井临噎掘井
Literally: “to dig a well when one is thirsty”.

Etymology

Based on the Annals of Master Yan:

而後而後問路臨難鑄兵掘井 [Classical Chinese, trad.][▼ expand/hide]
而后而后问路临难铸兵掘井 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
From: Annals of Master Yan, circa 3rd century BCE
Nì érhòu wèn suì, mí érhòu wèn lù, pì zhī yóu línnàn ér jù zhùbīng, lín yē ér jù juéjǐng, suī sù yì wú jí yǐ. [Pinyin]
To ask the way after drowning and to ask for directions after getting lost is like, for example, quickly making weapons when facing a disaster or quickly digging a well when choking; though fast, it is too late.

Pronunciation


Idiom

臨渴掘井

  1. (figuratively) to fail to make a timed preparation

Antonyms

Descendants

Sino-Xenic (臨渴掘井):
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