píng​shí​bù​shāo​xiāng​lín​shí​bào​fó​jiǎo

to panic at the last minute

Senses

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

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 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

References

abbreviation 抱佛脚/抱佛腳 平时不烧香,临时抱佛脚/平時不燒香,臨時抱佛腳