last-minute measure; too-late action
Abbreviation of the proverb 泥棒を捕らえて縄を綯う (making rope after catching the thief). Refers to starting preparations only after the problem has already occurred; a hasty, belated measure.
See also: 泥棒を捕らえて縄を綯う
試験前日の勉強は泥縄だ。
Studying the day before the exam is a last-minute measure.
泥縄式の対策では間に合わない。
Hasty, last-minute measures won't be in time.
last-minute; eleventh-hour
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic noun.
Shortened from the proverb 泥棒を捕らえて縄を綯う, “to begin twisting a rope only after catching the thief,” describing preparations made too late.