Definition
抱佛脚 is a fixed phrase meaning 'to make a hasty last-minute effort', especially cramming for an exam or rushing to prepare for something. It comes from the image of someone who only prays to Buddha when in trouble. As a separable verb (离合词), you can insert elements between the syllables: 抱了一次佛脚 ('crammed once'). The phrase is always used in a negative or self-deprecating tone — it implies you should have prepared earlier.
v.o.
to make a hasty last-minute effort (e.g., cramming for an exam, panic preparation)
Examples
- 抱佛脚，。Kǎoshì qián yì tiān cái bào fó jiǎo, kěndìng láibují.Cramming the day before the exam — it's definitely too late.
- ，。Tā píngshí bù xuéxí, qīmò bào le sān tiān fójiǎo.He doesn't study at all during the term, and only crammed for three days at the end of the semester.
- 抱佛脚，。Zhège xiàngmù wǒmen bùnéng línshí bào fó jiǎo, bìxū tíqián guīhuà.We can't just make a last-minute effort on this project — we have to plan ahead.
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