袖手旁觀 xiù shǒu páng guān

stand by and do nothing; be a bystander

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

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

Characters

Character Meaning
袖 xiù HSK 6
sleeve; to tuck inside one's sleeve
手 shǒu HSK 2
hand; personal(ly); person engaged in certain types of work
旁 páng HSK 2
beside; side; one side
觀 guān
point of view; concept; to watch