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Home / Idiom / 无能为力

(idiom) powerless to do anything about it

无能为力
wú néng wéi lì
IdiomHSK 7-9
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Examples3 available
He could do nothing but give up his plan against his will.
他无能为力，只好放弃计划
There's nothing I can do about it.
我对此无能为力。
There's nothing we can do to help.
我们也无能为力。
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
(idiom) to lack the ability to do what one would wish力不从心lì bù cóng xīn(lit.) to have no strategy to apply (idiom) · (fig.) to be out of ideas; at one's wit's end无计可施wú jì kě shīunable to; incapable of无法wú fǎ(lit.) to gaze at the ocean and lament one's inadequacy (idiom) · (fig.) to feel powerless and incompetent (to perform a task)望洋兴叹wàng yáng xīng tànto anxiously await望眼欲穿wàng yǎn yù chuānlit. to have one's hands bound and be unable to do anything about it (idiom); fig. helpless in the face of a crisis束手无策shù shǒu wú cè
Antonyms
lit. what the heart wishes, the hand accomplishes (idiom) skilled at the job · entirely in one's element · going smoothly and easily得心应手dé xīn yìng shǒu