束手无策

束手无策 [shù shǒu wú cè]

1. ■ be at a loss what to do; be at the end of one's rope; can do nothing but nailbiting; can do nothing to help...; feel quite helpless; find [stick] oneself in the mire; fold one's hands helplessly; fold one's hands without knowing what to do; have no more arrows left in one's quiver; no way out; at one's wits' end; without resources [expedients]; wring one's hands in dismay; up a stump:

他束手无策地站着， 活像丢魂失魄似的。 He stood helplessly, like a lost soul.

他也束手无策， 别指望他帮助啦。 He is at the end of his resources, too. Don't count on him for help.