Chinese idiom · 成语
作壁上观
Meaning
To watch from the wall; to stay neutral in a conflict.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountThe Shiji's Basic Annals of Xiang Yu describes the battle at Julu against Qin. Other allied armies have established more than ten fortified camps but do not dare commit their troops. As Xiang Yu's Chu soldiers fight, the other commanders watch from their ramparts. After the victory, those commanders enter Xiang Yu's camp in fear and submit to his leadership.
The source says 从壁上观, watching from the fortifications; the familiar idiom uses 作 instead. It came to mean standing aside while others struggle and waiting to see the result. The original spectators were several allied commanders, not a single neutral state watching an unrelated battle.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
同事忙着处理客户投诉，我们不能只作壁上观。
Our colleagues are busy handling customer complaints; we can't just stand by and watch.
Often criticizes withholding help when participation is needed.