手てを束つかねて

expression

doing nothing; folding one's arms

Idiomatic expression meaning to stand by without taking action, often with a nuance of passive observation or neglect. Literally 'with hands folded'.

• 彼かれは困こまっている友とも達だちを見みても、手てを束つかねて何なにもしなかった。

  Even when he saw his friend in trouble, he folded his arms and did nothing.

• 政せい府ふは問もん題だいを認にん識しきしているのに、手てを束つかねて傍ぼう観かんしているだけだ。

  Although the government recognizes the problem, it is just standing by with folded arms.