Sit idly by Meaning in English
expression
ˈsɪt/ /ˈaɪdɫi/ /ˈbaɪ
SIT EYED-lee BYE
sˈɪt/ /ˈaɪdli/ /bˈaɪ
sit EYED-lee BYE
Definition
To watch something happen without taking any action to prevent it, especially when you could help or stop it.
Usage & Nuances
This expression is often used in criticism, suggesting someone ought to help but chooses not to. Common with issues of fairness or social problems. It is somewhat formal/written but can be spoken.
Spanish: quedarse de brazos cruzados - mirar sin hacer nadaPortuguese (BR): ficar de braços cruzados - assistir sem fazer nadaPortuguese (PT): ficar de braços cruzados - assistir sem fazer nadaChinese (Simplified): 袖手旁观Chinese (Traditional): 袖手旁觀Hindi: चुपचाप बैठना - कुछ न करनाArabic: يقف موقف المتفرج - يبقى مكتوف الأيديBengali: নিঃক্রিয়ভাবে দেখা - কিছু না করাRussian: бездействовать - остаться в сторонеJapanese: 傍観する - 何もしないでいるVietnamese: ngồi yên nhìn - khoanh tay đứng nhìnKorean: 가만히 있다 - 방관하다Turkish: seyirci kalmak - eli kolu bağlı oturmakUrdu: خاموش تماشائی بن جانا - کچھ نہ کرناIndonesian: berdiam diri saja - tidak berbuat apa-apa
Example Sentences
We cannot sit idly by and watch them suffer.
basic
You shouldn't sit idly by when someone needs help.
basic
The teacher refused to sit idly by during the bullying.
basic
How can you just sit idly by while all this is happening?
natural
They watched the company collapse but just sat idly by.
natural
If you sit idly by, things will only get worse.
natural