[rein in at the brink of the precipice --wake up to and escape disaster at the last moment] 行至陡崖, 将马勒住, 不继续前进。 比喻面临危险及时醒悟回头

xuán yái lè mǎ

lit. to rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice (idiom)

fig. to act in the nick of time

rein in on (at) the brink of the precipice -- avoid imminent disaster; desist from doing sth. before it is too late; draw (rein) in one's horse at the edge of a cliff; pull back (reform) before it is too late; stop one's horse on coming to the precipice; stop on the edge of the precipice and not go any farther; wake up and escape disaster at the last moment; ward off disaster at the critical moment:

1) rein in at the last moment

2) wake up to danger at the last moment

3) stop before it is too late

【释义】悬崖：高而陡的山崖；勒马：收住缰绳，使马停步。在高高的山崖边上勒住马。比喻到了危险的边缘及时清醒回头。

【近义】临崖勒马

【反义】执迷不悟

【出处】"清·纪昀《阅微草堂笔记》：“此书生悬崖勒马,可谓大智矣。”"

【用例】您铸成大错在前，已经对不起天地祖宗，赶快悬崖勒马吧！（华而实《汉衣冠》三）