beyond one's reach; powerless to do anything about
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
beyond one's power or jurisdiction; too far away to be of help
literaryUsed to describe situations where, despite having power or desire, one cannot exert control or influence due to distance, lack of authority, or other constraints.
Zǒng总
gōng公
sī司
duì对
yú于
hǎi海
wài外
fēn分
gōng公
sī司
de的
jù具
tǐ体
guǎn管
lǐ理
wèn问
tí题
，
cháng常
cháng常
shì是
biān鞭
cháng长
mò莫
jí及
。
The headquarters is often powerless when it comes to the specific management issues of overseas branches.
Wǒ我
xiǎng想
bāng帮
nǐ你
，
dàn但
wǒ我
zài在
guó国
wài外
，
shí实
zài在
shì是
biān鞭
cháng长
mò莫
jí及
。
I want to help you, but I'm abroad and it's truly beyond my reach.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Fù父
mǔ母
duì对
zài在
wài外
chuǎng闯
dàng荡
de的
hái孩
zi子
，
nèi内
xīn心
qiān牵
guà挂
，
yǒu有
shí时
yě也
gǎn感
dào到
biān鞭
cháng长
mò莫
jí及
。
Parents of children making their own way in the world worry about them and sometimes feel powerless to help.