Sit on their hands Meaning in English
expression
ˈsɪt/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈðɛɹ/ /ˈhændz/, /ˈhænz
SIT on THAIR HANDZ
sˈɪt/ /ˈɒn/ /ðˈeə/ /hˈændz
SIT on THAIR HANDZ
Definition
To do nothing or refuse to take action, especially when action is needed.
Usage & Nuances
Idiomatic, informal, sometimes a little critical. Often used when someone fails to help in a situation where help is expected. Similar expressions: 'stand by and do nothing', 'turn a blind eye' (less direct). Usually plural: 'sit on their/our/his hands'.
Spanish: quedarse de brazos cruzadosPortuguese (BR): ficar de braços cruzadosPortuguese (PT): ficar de braços cruzadosChinese (Simplified): 袖手旁观 - 置之不理Chinese (Traditional): 袖手旁觀 - 置之不理Hindi: चुप बैठना - कुछ न करनाArabic: يلتزم الصمت - يقف موقف المتفرجBengali: চুপচাপ থাকা - কোনো পদক্ষেপ না নেওয়াRussian: без действия сидеть сложа рукиJapanese: 何もしない - 手をこまねくVietnamese: ngồi yên không làm gì - khoanh tay đứng nhìnKorean: 가만히 있다 - 아무 행동도 하지 않다Turkish: eli kolu bağlı durmak - hiçbir şey yapmamakUrdu: ہاتھ پر ہاتھ دھرے بیٹھناIndonesian: berdiam diri - tidak melakukan apa-apa
Example Sentences
The teachers sit on their hands when there are problems in the classroom.
basic
Don’t sit on your hands—we need your help now.
basic
Many people sat on their hands during the meeting.
basic
While the city flooded, the government just sat on its hands.
natural
If you just sit on your hands, nothing will ever change.
natural
Everybody saw the problem, but they all just sat on their hands.
natural