渇かつに臨のぞみて井せいを穿うがつ

expression, godan verb (-tsu)

to fail to make timely preparations; to not dig a well until one is thirsty

Proverb criticizing lack of foresight; equivalent to 'don't wait until you're thirsty to dig a well.' Used in formal or literary contexts.

• 災さい害がいが起おきてから対たい策さくを考かんがえるのは、渇かつに臨のぞみて井いを穿うがつようなものだ。

  Thinking about countermeasures only after a disaster strikes is like not digging a well until you're thirsty.

• 彼かれはいつも渇かつに臨のぞみて井いを穿うがつやり方かたで、準じゅん備び不ぶ足そくで失しっ敗ぱいする。

  He always fails to prepare in time, like someone who doesn't dig a well until he's thirsty.