苦くるしい時ときの神かみ頼だのみ

expression

man turns to God only in times of trouble; there are no atheists in foxholes

Proverb expressing that people tend to seek divine help only when they are in distress, and forget about it once the trouble passes.

• 試し験けん前まえになると急きゅうに神じん社じゃに行いくなんて、苦くるしい時ときの神かみ頼だのみだね。

  Going to a shrine only right before an exam is a classic case of 'man turns to God only in times of trouble,' isn't it?

• 彼かれは普ふ段だんは無む宗しゅう教きょうなのに、病びょう気きになると祈いのり始はじめる。まさに苦くるしい時ときの神かみ頼だのみだ。

  He's usually not religious, but when he gets sick he starts praying. That's exactly 'there are no atheists in foxholes.'