also: こうしゅぼうかん
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
stand idly by and watch; look on with folded arms
A yojijukugo describing passive inaction in the face of a situation, often with a negative connotation of indifference or helplessness. Used in formal or literary contexts.
彼は困っている人を見ても拱手傍観しているだけだった。
He just stood idly by and watched even when he saw someone in trouble.
政府は問題を拱手傍観するだけで、何の対策も打たなかった。
The government merely looked on with folded arms at the problem and took no measures.