House of cards Assuming you're after idioms:
a structure, situation, or institution that is insubstantial, shaky, or in constant danger of collapse
This place is a house of cards. >a structure, situation, or institution that is insubstantial, shaky, or in constant danger of collapse
[Caught with their trousers down.][2]
If the client shows up, we'll be caught with our trousers down. >To be taken by surprise; to be caught in a vulnerable (often embarrassing) position or situation.
An English approximation for a specific time it happens is:
caught with their trousers down.Always a day late and a dollar short
If the client shows up, we'll be caught with our trousers down.
Kind of self-explanatory, but explanation:
To be taken by surprise; to be caught in a vulnerable (often embarrassing) position or situationlate and ill-prepared.