
Sit/stand silently by
Passive Presence
Use when highlighting someone’s choice to not intervene, especially in challenging situations.

With the chaos unfolding, the guards stood silently by.
Moral Implications
Implies a judgment on the person who is not taking action when it's expected of them.

He could have helped, but he chose to stand silently by.
Negative Emotion
Often used to convey disapproval or disappointment in someone's inaction.

They stood silently by, ignoring the cries for help.
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