To burn incense and pray to Buddha; to perform religious worship in a temple.

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 neglect one's duties or relationships when things are calm, only to seek help or work frantically when a crisis arises; literally to not burn incense in ordinary times, but to clasp the Buddha's feet in an emergency

to choose which Buddha to burn incense to; to be selective in who one chooses to flatter or curry favor with

to fail to burn incense during times of leisure; it describes a lack of preparation or neglect of duties during normal times, only to seek help desperately when a crisis occurs