坐视不救 stand idly by
Explanation
指看到别人遇到危险或困难而不去救援。
To stand idly by and watch without helping someone in danger or difficulty.
Origin Story
话说三国时期，蜀国大将关羽镇守荆州，曹操率领大军南下，气势汹汹。荆州危在旦夕，百姓惶恐不安。而刘备却在千里之外，对荆州的危难坐视不救，最终导致荆州沦陷，关羽被杀，蜀国元气大伤。事后，刘备悔恨不已，痛哭流涕，却再也挽回不了局面。这个故事告诉我们，面对危难，不能袖手旁观，要及时伸出援助之手，否则后果不堪设想。
During the Three Kingdoms period in China, the Shu Han kingdom faced a crisis when Cao Cao's forces attacked Jingzhou. Liu Bei, however, sat idly by and did not offer his support. As a result, Jingzhou was lost and General Guan Yu was captured and killed. This failure to act led to serious consequences and great losses for the Shu Han. Liu Bei later regretted his inaction, but the situation was irrecoverable. This story teaches us that when others are in danger, we must not be bystanders and must offer timely help; otherwise, the consequences can be disastrous.
Usage
作谓语、宾语；指见死不救。
Used as predicate or object; refers to the act of not helping someone in danger.
Examples
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面对灾难，我们不能坐视不救。
zuò shì bù jiù
We cannot stand idly by when disaster strikes.
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看到有人落水，他却坐视不救，太冷漠了。
Seeing someone fall into the water, he stood by and did nothing, too indifferent.