干瞪眼 (gān dèng yǎn) stand by anxiously; look on in respire

Meaning:

“干瞪眼” 形容在一旁着急而又无能为力。
“干瞪眼”means someone who stands by anxiously is unable to help.

Sentences:

1、Zhè shì tā yě bù zhīdào gāi zěnmebàn, zhǐnéng zài yìpáng gān dèng yǎn.
这事他也不知道该怎么办，只能在一旁干瞪眼。
He has no idea about it but only looks on in despair.

2、Zhè ge xiǎohái yìzhí kū, tā bàba yìdiǎn bànfǎ yě méiyǒu, zhǐnéng gān dèng yǎn.
这个小孩一直哭，她爸爸一点办法也没有，只能干瞪眼。
The kid has been crying but her father has no idea.

原文链接