泥どろ縄なわ式しき

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun

last-minute; eleventh-hour

Describes doing something at the very last moment, often with a sense of unpreparedness or desperation. Derived from the proverb 泥棒を捕らえて縄を綯う (making rope after catching the thief).

See also: 泥棒を捕らえて縄を綯う

• 試し験けん前ぜん日じつの泥どろ縄なわ式しきの勉べん強きょうでは、いい点てんは取とれない。

  Last-minute cramming the day before the exam won't get you a good score.

• 彼かれの準じゅん備びはいつも泥どろ縄なわ式しきだ。

  His preparations are always last-minute.