lam4 hot3 gwat6 zeng2臨渴掘井临渴掘井
Jyutpinglam4 hot3 gwat6 zeng2
Yalelàhm hot gwaht jéng
Definition
To dig a well only when one is thirsty; to make last-minute preparations without foresight.
colloquialworkschool
How it's used
This idiom carries a slightly critical tone, often used to scold or advise someone who lacks foresight. It is frequently employed in professional or academic settings to highlight the inefficiency of reactive planning. While it functions as a verb phrase, it can also act as an adjective to describe a person's poor work habits.
Examples
Don't always wait until the last minute to do things, it's better to prepare early.
You only start studying when the exam is here, you need to change this habit of leaving things to the last minute.
Related words
Common phrases
always leaving things to the last minute
do not wait until the last minute
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
