鞭长莫及 (biān cháng mò jí) | Meaning: lit. the whip cannot reach (idiom); beyond one's influence | Chinese Idiom with Pinyin & Origin

unable to help however much one would like to (idiom); Although we sympathize, there is no way to help you. · My hands are tied.爱莫能助ài mò néng zhù

(idiom) to lack the ability to do what one would wish力不从心lì bù cóng xīn

unable to; incapable of无法wú fǎ

lit. the whip cannot reach (idiom); beyond one's influence · too far to be able to help