望洋兴叹
wàng​yáng​xīng​tàn

feel powerless

  • created sense approved 望洋兴叹/望洋興嘆 · wàng​yáng​xīng​tàn · feel powerless

    望洋兴叹 / 望洋興嘆

    wàng​yáng​xīng​tàn

    feel powerless

    To feel frustrated or incompetent when faced with a task beyond one's ability or resources.

    面对如此昂贵的房价，普通工薪阶层只能望洋兴叹。

    idiom

    created sense

  • created sense approved 望洋兴叹/望洋興嘆 · wàng​yáng​xīng​tàn · feel small

    望洋兴叹 / 望洋興嘆

    wàng​yáng​xīng​tàn

    feel small

    To gaze at the ocean and lament one's insignificance or inadequacy in comparison to its vastness.

    庄子在《秋水》中描述河伯见到大海，只能望洋兴叹。

    idiom

    created sense