斗而铸兵
dòu'ér​zhù​bīng

to be too late to prepare

  1. 斗 鬥 dòu verbnoun
    to fight
    to fight; to struggle against; to contend or vie for victory
  2. 而 ér particleconjunction
    [adverbial linker]
    Connects an adverb-like description to the following verb to show the manner, cause, or basis of an action.
  3. 铸 鑄 zhù verbparticle
    to cast
    to cast or found metals; to pour molten metal into a mold to create objects, including coins or tools
  4. 兵 bīng noun
    weapons
    (bound form) weapons; arms