袖手旁观 meaning in English
put the hands in the sleeves and look on -- to have nothing to do with a thing; fold one's arms and look on; look on and do nothing; look on unconcerned [indifferently; without taking any action]; not to lift [stir] a finger; not to lift [raise] a hand; praise the sea, but stay on land.; remain an indifferent [idle] spectator; sit back and watch; stand aside [by]; stand by idly; stand by [look on] with folded arms; stand idle; stand watching; watch indifferently without lending a hand (in ...)
Examples
- We can't sit by and let it go on .
我们不能袖手旁观，不能任其自流。 - I just can't bear britain in decline .
我不能看着英国日益衰败而袖手旁观。 - He can't make nothing of it .
他不能袖手旁观。 - Mr. bennet, in equal silence, was enjoying the scene .
班纳特先生同样没做声，站在那儿袖手旁观。 - The ships of the athenians and their allies sulked unhelpfully .
雅典人及其同盟军的船只袖手旁观。