临时抱佛脚 in English lin2 shi2 bao4 fo2 jiao3 Meaning

Meanings

  • literally (word for word) to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (idiomatic expression); metaphorically to profess devotion only when in trouble
  • doing things at the last minute
  • making a hasty last-minute effort

Simplified Characters

临 时 抱 佛 脚

Traditional Characters

臨 時 抱 佛 腳

Pinyin

lin2 shi2 bao4 fo2 jiao3

Literal

Literal explanation, with pronunciation and meaning of each character.

临lin2to face 时shi2old variant of 時|时[shi2] 抱bao4to hold 佛fu2Buddha 脚jiao3foot