To watch off to the sides with one's hands in one's sleeves
To not get involved with or offer assistance for something that is happening
Negative
国防部长已经表明他不会袖手旁观，任由民主遭到破坏 | Guófángbùzhǎng yǐjīng biǎomíng tā bù huì xiùshǒupángguān, rènyóu mínzhǔ zāo dào pòhuài
The Minister of Defense has already stated that he would not idly stand by and allow democracy to be undermined
[Source]
他遭人袭击，路人只在一边袖手旁观 | Tā zāo rén xíjí, lùrén zhǐ zài yībiān xiùshǒupángguān
Pedestrians simply looked on as he was attacked
[Source]
None
None
None
《祭柳子厚文》(Jì Liǔ Zǐ Hòu Wén), written by Táng Dynasty (唐, 618 - 907) essayist and poet 韩愈 (Hán Yù) in memory of his deceased friend, 柳子厚 (Liǔ Zǐ Hòu)
This chengyu comes from a line in the work listed in the "Origin" section above