泥棒を捕らえて縄を綯う
どろぼうをとらえてなわをなう
Also written 泥棒を捕らえて縄をなう
Meanings
- Expression, Godan verb 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 See also: 泥縄 (どろなわ). See also: 泥縄式 (どろなわしき).
Kanji
- 泥 mud. Read as どろ.
- 棒 rod. Read as ボウ.
- 捕 catch. Read as とらえる.
- 縄 rope. Read as なわ.
- 綯 twist; make rope. Read as なう.