Daily Chinese Idiom Guessing Game
To stand by and watch without offering any help or taking any action.
把手笼在袖子里,在一旁观看。比喻置身事外,既不过问,也不协助别人。
唐·韩愈《祭柳子厚文》不善为斫,血指汗颜,巧匠旁观,缩手袖间。”宋·苏轼《朝辞赴定州论事状》奕棋者胜负之形,虽国工有所不尽,而袖手旁观者常尽之。”
While the two were arguing, he just stood by with his arms folded and watched.