Stand idly by Meaning in English
expression
ˈstænd/ /ˈaɪdɫi/ /ˈbaɪ
STAND EYE-dlee BY
stˈænd/ /ˈaɪdli/ /bˈaɪ
STAND EYE-dlee BY
Definition
To watch something happen without taking any action to help or stop it, even when you could do something.
Usage & Nuances
Used mostly in negative or critical contexts, often about moral responsibility. Common with 'can't' or questions ('Should we stand idly by?'). Not literal; always figurative.
Spanish: quedarse de brazos cruzadosPortuguese (BR): ficar de braços cruzadosPortuguese (PT): ficar de braços cruzadosChinese (Simplified): 袖手旁观Chinese (Traditional): 袖手旁觀Hindi: चुपचाप खड़े रहनाArabic: يقف مكتوف الأيديBengali: নিশ্চুপ দাঁড়িয়ে থাকা - চুপচাপ দাঁড়িয়ে দেখা (কিছু না করে)Russian: бездействовать - стоять в сторонеJapanese: 何もせず傍観するVietnamese: đứng nhìn mà không làm gìKorean: 가만히 있다 - 방관하다Turkish: seyirci kalmakUrdu: خاموش تماشائی بنناIndonesian: berdiam diri - hanya menonton
Example Sentences
We cannot stand idly by while people are suffering.
basic
She refused to stand idly by when her friend was in danger.
basic
Don't just stand idly by—help if you see someone needs it.
basic
Too many people stand idly by when they hear about injustice.
natural
Are we really going to stand idly by and do nothing about climate change?
natural
He couldn’t just stand idly by while his coworkers were being treated unfairly.
natural