# 临渴掘井

lín kě jué jǐng

Prepare only when the need becomes urgent

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Dig a well when already thirsty

**Traditional Chinese:** 臨渴掘井

**Register:** Cautionary · formal

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Criticize last minute preparation.

A response to an unforeseeable event is different.

## Understanding the expression

Digging a well takes time, so beginning only after thirst becomes urgent leaves the person waiting when water is needed most. The expression criticizes failure to prepare for a foreseeable need. Modern examples include exams, maintenance, funding, and emergency planning. It values work done before pressure arrives. Not every crisis can be predicted, however, so the criticism is fair only when preparation was reasonably possible beforehand rather than obvious solely in hindsight.

## Examples

考试前夜才读书，是临渴掘井。

### Traditional Chinese

考試前夜才讀書，是臨渴掘井。

kǎo shì qián yè cái dú shū ， shì lín kě jué jǐng 。

Studying only the night before the exam is last minute preparation.

别等停水再临渴掘井。

### Traditional Chinese

別等停水再臨渴掘井。

bié děng tíng shuǐ zài lín kě jué jǐng 。

Do not wait for a water outage to prepare.

公司临渴掘井，临时寻找替补。

### Traditional Chinese

公司臨渴掘井，臨時尋找替補。

gōng sī lín kě jué jǐng ， lín shí xún zhǎo tì bǔ 。

The company hurriedly sought replacements only when needed.

平时备份，免得临渴掘井。

### Traditional Chinese

平時備份，免得臨渴掘井。

píng shí bèi fèn ， miǎn de lín kě jué jǐng 。

Back up regularly to avoid scrambling at the last minute.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%87%A8%E6%B8%B4%E6%8E%98%E4%BA%95)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=240&webMd=1&la=0)

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