这个消息让他们非常生气，但他们无能为力。

This message lets them very angry, but they do nothing.

youdao

他知道他们很快就会被淹死，但他已经无能为力了。

He knew that they would soon be drowned, but he could do no more.

youdao

The father yells at them, says, Make that cat shut up, and they can't He says, "Make it shut up. I don't care.

但父亲喊道：,“让那猫安静“，可他们无能为力,可父亲又说：“让它安静。

耶鲁公开课 - 1945年后的美国小说课程节选