干瞪眼 (gān) — to stand by helplessly, unable to do anything; to look on in despair

Definition

Examples

• 看到机会溜走，他只能干瞪眼，一点办法也没有。
  Kàn dào jī huì liū zǒu, tā zhǐ néng gān, yì diǎn bàn fǎ yě méi yǒu.
  Seeing the opportunity slip away, he could only stand by helplessly with no way to act.
• 比赛输了，教练在场边干瞪眼，毫无办法。
  Bǐ sài shū le, jiào liàn zài chǎng biān gān, háo wú bàn fǎ.
  The match was lost, and the coach stood by the sidelines in despair, completely helpless.
• 公司破产时，员工们只能干瞪眼，没有人能改变结局。
  Gōng sī pò chǎn shí, yuán gōng men zhǐ néng gān, méi yǒu rén néng gǎi biàn jié jú.
  When the company went bankrupt, the employees could only watch helplessly, with no one able to change the outcome.