xiù袖sleeveshǒu手handpáng旁besideguān观watch
To stand by idly; to look on without lifting a finger.
Literal meaning
sleeve (袖) — hand (手) — beside (旁) — watch (观)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing someone who watches without helping.
Examples
kàndào biéren yǒu kùnnan, wǒmen bùnéng xiùshǒu-pángguān.看到别人有困难，我们不能袖手旁观。
We cannot stand by idly when we see others in trouble.
zài wēijí shíkè, tā méiyǒu xiùshǒu-pángguān, érshì tǐngshēn érchū.在危急时刻，他没有袖手旁观，而是挺身而出。
In the critical moment, he did not stand by idly but stepped forward.
Usage & nuances
Implies a negative connotation of indifference or lack of responsibility.
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