an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff

an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff

Something that is helpful only after one is already injured or in trouble. The idea is that, while an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff can help people who fall off the cliff, a fence at the top would be more beneficial. Services like this, which only help kids once they've gotten into significant trouble, are like an ambulance at the bottom of a cliff.
See also: ambulance, bottom, cliff, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • cliff
  • dispatch (someone or something) from (some place)
  • dispatch from
  • do (someone or oneself) no favors
  • do somebody no favours
  • draw upon (someone or something)
  • stay away
  • stay away (from someone or something)
  • remain away
  • remain away (from someone or something)