缓不济急 slowness cannot cope with urgency
Explanation
形容事情发展缓慢，无法应付紧急需要。
Describes a situation where slow developments are insufficient to meet urgent needs.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，一位名叫李白的书生，一日奉命前往京城递送一封紧急奏折。奏折事关重大，关系到边疆安危，必须在三日之内送达。李白策马扬鞭，日夜兼程，却在途中遭遇暴雨，山洪爆发，道路受阻。他本想绕道而行，但绕道需耗费更多时间，恐怕缓不济急。无奈之下，李白只好冒险涉水，最终虽然顺利送达奏折，但也耽误了行程。此事之后，李白便将此事写成一首诗，警示后人：处理紧急事务，切不可因循怠慢，否则往往缓不济急，贻误大事。
In ancient China, a scholar named Li Bai was tasked with delivering an urgent imperial edict to the capital. The edict was of utmost importance, concerning the safety of the border, and had to arrive within three days. Li Bai rode day and night, but encountered a violent storm and flash floods along the way. The roads were blocked. He considered taking a detour, but that would take even longer. Desperate, Li Bai risked crossing the flooded river. Although he successfully delivered the edict, he lost valuable time. Li Bai's story serves as a warning: When dealing with urgent matters, one should not procrastinate, or else they may be too slow to deal with the emergency.
Usage
用来形容因行动迟缓而不能满足紧急需要的状况。
Used to describe the situation where urgent needs cannot be met due to slow action.
Examples
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他做事总是慢条斯理，结果往往缓不济急。
ta zuoshi zongshi mantiaosilu, jieguo wangwang huan bu ji ji.
He always does things slowly and leisurely, which often leads to problems when speed is required.
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面对突发的紧急情况，他的缓慢反应让他缓不济急。
mianduitufa de jinjichuangkuang, tade manhuan fanying rang ta huan bu ji ji.
In unexpected emergencies, his slow reaction prevented him from doing anything.