look on anxiously but helplessly; be unable to do anything
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb phrase
look on anxiously but helplessly; be unable to do anything
informalDescribes a situation where one is anxious to help or intervene but is completely powerless. Often used to convey frustration and helplessness.
Hái孩
zi子
gāo高
shāo烧
bú不
tuì退
，
tā他
bú不
huì会
kāi开
chē车
，
zhǐ只
néng能
gān干
dèng瞪
yǎn眼
。
His child had a high fever that wouldn't break, and since he couldn't drive, he could only look on helplessly.
Diàn电
nǎo脑
tū突
rán然
sǐ死
jī机
，
wǒ我
de的
wén文
jiàn件
méi没
bǎo保
cún存
，
jí急
de得
wǒ我
gān干
dèng瞪
yǎn眼
。
The computer crashed suddenly, and I hadn't saved my file. I was frantic but could do nothing about it.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Kàn看
zhe着
xiǎo小
tōu偷
pǎo跑
diào掉
，
tā他
yīn因
wèi为
tuǐ腿
shāng伤
zhǐ只
néng能
gān干
dèng瞪
yǎn眼
。
He watched the thief run away, but due to a leg injury, he could only stand there helpless.
Gǔ股
shì市
bào暴
diē跌
，
tā他
bèi被
tào套
láo牢
le了
，
chú除
le了
gān干
dèng瞪
yǎn眼
háo毫
wú无
bàn办
fǎ法
。
The stock market crashed, and he was stuck with his shares. He had no choice but to watch helplessly.