To do nothing about a problem or a situation which needs dealing with
To sit on one's hand
To sit around and do nothing
To sit on one's ass/arse/backside
The president sat on his hands while the outbreak made its way to America,
To sit on one's hand
To sit around and do nothing
To sit on one's ass/arse/backside
The president sat on his hands while the outbreak made its way to America,