to show that you are very sad or anxious about a situation but do nothing to improve it.
It's not enough for us to stand by and wring our hands - we've got to take action.
(redirected from wring hands)
wring (one's) hands
To display one's worries about something but not act to address it. We must not just wring our hands about this famine. We must act to help those who are starving.
wring your hands
show great distress.
ˌwring your ˈhands
twist and rub your hands together because you are very worried, upset or anxious: He stood there, wringing his hands in despair.It’s no use just wringing our hands — we must do something. ▶ ˈhand-wringing noun: No amount of hand-wringing can change the situation.