ChinesePod

1 lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet when danger arises (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble
2 doing things at the last minute
3 to make a hasty last-minute effort (often refers to cramming for exams)

抱佛脚

bào fó jiǎo

1 lit. to clasp the Buddha's feet (without ever having burned incense) (idiom); fig. to profess devotion only when in trouble
2 panic measures in place of timely preparation

抱残守缺

bào cán shǒu quē

1 to cherish the outmoded and preserve the outworn (idiom); conservative
2 stickler for tradition

抱薪救火

bào xīn jiù huǒ

1 lit. to carry firewood to put out a fire (idiom); fig. to make a problem worse by inappropriate action

抱头鼠窜

bào tóu shǔ cuàn

1 to cover one's head and sneak away like a rat (idiom); to flee ignominiously

Sample Sentences

那应该是这罐果酱，抱歉，这也不能带上飞机。

nà yīnggāi shì zhè guàn guǒjiàng ，bàoqiàn ，zhè yě bùnéng dàishàng fēijī 。

Then it must be this can of fruit juice. I'm sorry, you can’t bring this on to the plane.

Go to Lesson

真是抱歉，是我的疏忽，要不…作为补偿，送您50元的外卖优惠券吧，我们下个月起就支持网上订餐了。

zhēnshi bàoqiàn ，shì wǒ de shūhu ，yào bù …zuòwéi bǔcháng ，sòng nín yuán de wàimài yōuhuì quàn ba ，wǒmen xiàgèyuè qǐ jiù zhīchí wǎngshàng dìng cān le 。

I’m very sorry for my negligence. As a compensation, please accept this $50 voucher for takeaway orders when our online ordering service is available.

Go to Lesson

实在抱歉，你等我再重启试试……啊，太不好意思了，空调还是不能用呢。

shízài bàoqiàn ，nǐ děng wǒ zài chóngqǐ shì shì ……a ，tài bùhǎoyìsi le ，kōngtiáo háishi bùnéng yòng ne 。

Sorry, please wait while I try to restart ... Ah, I’m so sorry, the air conditioner still can’t be used.

Go to Lesson

抱歉，我来迟了。

bàoqiàn ，wǒ láichí le 。

My apologies for being late.

Go to Lesson

谢谢老板，但是今天跟客户有约，真是抱歉，下次一定去！

xièxie lǎobǎn ，dànshì jīntiān gēn kèhù yǒu yuē ，zhēnshi bàoqiàn ，xiàcì yīdìng qù ！

Thank you, but I have a meeting with a client. I am really sorry today. I am sorry. I will definitely make it next time.