袖手旁观 xiùshǒu-pángguān to watch with folded arms (idiom)
to watch with folded arms (idiom); to look on without lifting a finger
怎么记住“袖手旁观”: 袖 sleeve + 手 hand + 旁 side + 观 observe = to watch with folded arms (idiom).
汉字
用法
- To stand by with folded arms and do nothing to help - 他袖手旁观 (tā xiùshǒu-pángguān) he just looked on without lifting a finger.
- The image is tucking your hands in your sleeves (袖手) while watching from the side (旁观); strongly critical of indifference.
- Written/formal idiom; contrast 见义勇为 (jiànyì-yǒngwéi), stepping in to help - its moral opposite.
例句
- 只要好人袖手旁观，恶人就会得胜。 Zhǐyào hǎorén xiùshǒupángguān, èrén jiù huì déshèng.As long as good people do nothing, evil will triumph.