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Home / Idiom / 袖手旁观

to watch with folded arms (idiom); to look on without lifting a finger

袖手旁观
xiù shǒu páng guān
x+iù·4th tonesh+ǒu·3rd tonep+áng·2nd toneg+uān·1st tone
IdiomHSK 7-9
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Examples2 available
If you don't make the promise, then I'll just stand by and watch.
你要是不答应的话，我就袖手旁观。
As long as good people do nothing, evil will triumph.
只要好人袖手旁观，恶人就会得胜。
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
not the least bit concerned · completely indifferent漠不关心mò bù guān xīn(idiom) to observe with an indifferent attitude; to be a bystander (usually referring to someone who could get involved but chooses not to)冷眼旁观lěng yǎn páng guānto wait and see; to watch from the sidelines · to look around; to survey观望guān wàngsit by and watch · stay behind the breastworks and watch others fight · be an onlooker · look on with folded arms作壁上观zuò bì shàng guānsit back and watch without going to the rescue · sit idly by without lending a helping hand · look on with folded arms坐视不救zuò shī bù jiùto sit and await success or failure (idiom); to wait to see the outcome of a fight before taking sides · to sit on the fence坐观成败zuò guān chéng bài
Antonyms
to step forward bravely挺身而出tǐng shēn ér chū