Definition
This is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that literally means 'to sharpen one's spear only when approaching the battle'. Figuratively, it describes someone who starts preparing only at the last moment, resulting in rushed, inadequate preparation. It carries a mildly critical tone, warning against procrastination. Use it to describe last‑minute cramming, hasty work, or any eleventh‑hour effort.
f.e.
to begin preparing only at the last momentlast‑minute rush
Examples
- 临阵磨枪，。Kǎoshì qián yì wǎn cái lín zhèn mó, xiàoguǒ tōngcháng bú huì tài hǎo.Cramming the night before an exam usually doesn't work very well.
- ，临阵磨枪。Tā píngshí bú fùxí, měi cì dōu shì lín zhèn mó.He doesn't review regularly; every time he just prepares at the last minute.
- 临阵磨枪，。Xiàngmù jiézhǐ qián sān tiān cái lín zhèn mó, tuánduì yālì hěn dà.Starting the preparation only three days before the project deadline put the team under a lot of pressure.
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