平时不烧香，临时抱佛脚
píng​shí​bù​shāo​xiāng​lín​shí​bào​fó​jiǎo

to panic at the last minute

平时不烧香，临时抱佛脚 平時不燒香，臨時抱佛腳 píng​shí​bù​shāo​xiāng​lín​shí​bào​fó​jiǎo
to panic at the last minute
literally meaning to never burn incense when all is well, but to clutch at Buddha's feet when in a crisis; used to describe neglecting preparation until the last moment and then acting in a panic
to make a last-minute effort
to neglect preparations until the last moment and then seek help or work frantically; literally to not burn incense in ordinary times, but embrace the Buddha's feet when in trouble

Cross-References

Has abbreviation