- starting something in the eleventh hour; have not thy cloak to make when it begins to rain; don't lock the stable door after the horse has been stolen; braiding the rope only after the thief is caughtproverbsee also 泥縄【どろなわ】 and 泥縄式【どろなわしき】
expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.)
Forms
Generated definitions (experimental)
- starting something in the eleventh hour
- have not thy cloak to make when it begins to rain
- don't lock the stable door after the horse has been stolen
- braiding the rope only after the thief is caught
This phrase suggests that it's unwise to wait until the last minute to prepare or take action, particularly after a critical incident has already occurred.
This expression conveys the idea that one should not leave essential tasks until a crisis arises, emphasizing the importance of preparation ahead of time.
This meaning highlights the futility of taking precautions after the damage has been done, implying that actions should be taken proactively rather than reactively.
This specific interpretation emphasizes the absurdity of being prepared only after an incident has occurred, reinforcing the necessity of foresight and timely action.
Generated collocations (experimental)
どろぼう泥棒をとらえる捕らえるto catch a thiefなわ縄をなう綯うto braid the ropeどろぼう泥棒がはいる入るa thief breaking inどろぼう泥棒をおいはらう追い払うto chase away a thiefどろぼう泥棒をつかまえる捕まえるto arrest a thiefどろぼう泥棒にはいられる入られるto be burgledどろぼう泥棒のわな罠thief’s trapどろぼう泥棒のはなし話the story of a thiefどろぼう泥棒のようにlike a thiefどろぼう泥棒あつかい扱いされるto be treated like a thiefどろぼう泥棒をするto steal
Wiktionary definitions (experimental)