ik stond erbij en ik keek ernaar

Etymology
The phrase literally means "I was standing next to it and I looked at it". It originates in the children's song Ik zag twee beren. The song is about animals doing impossible things, the most common variant "Ik zag twee beren broodjes smeren" meaning "I saw two bears making sandwiches". The song always finishes with 'k stond erbij en ik keek ernaar.

Phrase

 * 1) I noticed things were going wrong, but I didn't do anything to stop it.