腕うでをこまねく

expression, godan verb (-ku)

look on with arms folded; stand idly by

Idiomatic expression meaning to watch without taking action, often with a nuance of passive indifference or helplessness. Literally 'to fold one's arms and watch'.

• 彼かれは困こまっている友ゆう人じんを前まえに、ただ腕うでをこまねいているだけだった。

  He just stood by with his arms folded while his friend was in trouble.

• 政せい府ふは問もん題だいを認にん識しきしながらも、腕うでをこまねいているように見みえる。

  The government seems to be looking on with arms folded, even though it recognizes the problem.