Definition
冷眼旁观 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) meaning to watch something from a detached, critical, or indifferent standpoint — you observe without getting involved, often with a hint of disapproval or skepticism. The phrase combines 冷眼 'cold eyes' (a critical or aloof gaze) with 旁观 'to look on from the side'. Use it when someone chooses not to participate or intervene, simply watching events unfold.
f.e.
to look on coldlyto observe from a detachedcritical perspectiveto stay aloof
Examples
- ，冷眼旁观。Biérén dōu zài bāngmáng, tā què zhàn zài yì páng lěng yǎn páng guān.Everyone else was helping, but he just stood by and looked on coldly.
- ，冷眼旁观。Duìyú zhè chǎng zhēnglùn, tā yìzhí cǎiqǔ lěng yǎn páng guān de tàidu.He has maintained a detached, critical attitude toward this debate.
- 冷眼旁观，。Wǒmen bù yīnggāi lěng yǎn páng guān, ér yīnggāi shēn chū yuán shǒu.We shouldn't just look on coldly; we should lend a helping hand.
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