Meaning:

    “甩手” means to “swing one’s hands,” and “掌

    柜” refers to “shopkeeper” or “manager.” This phrase, a colloquial term long in existence, refers to owners or managers who don’t actively run their business but let other people take care of the chores for them. It has also been used to describe “do-nothing” government departments or a person who does not lift a hand at home.

    Example:

    A: 你最近似乎很忙。

    Nǐ zuìjìn sìhū hěn máng。

    You seem very busy lately.

    B: 是啊，家里的阿姨有事回家乡了，做饭带孩子打扫卫生都要自己干。

    Shì a, jiālǐ de āyí yǒushì huí jiāxiāng le, zuòfàn dài háizi dǎsǎo wèishēng dōu yào zìjǐ gàn。

    True. My domestic help went back to her hometown to deal with some business, and I myself have to cook, take care of the kid and do the cleaning.

    A: 你丈夫不帮把手吗？

    Nǐ zhàngfū bù bāngbǎshǒu ma?

    Can’t your husband give a hand?

    B: 他就是个甩手掌柜。

    Tā jìu shì gè shuǎishǒu zhǎngguì。

    He doesn’t lift a hand at home.