Learn English – When you’re angry at a situation but there is no action you can take

phrase-requestssingle-word-requests

In a situation where you are so angry at something, but there is nothing you're able to do, and you quiver/shake, what is the word or phrase I'm looking for.

An example would be if a group of people harass you but you don't dare retaliate, or a friend has been mistreated, but more thinking a situation where some other person is totally dominant over you and prevents you from taking action.

I guess an example would be: "I stood there quivering with **** rage" but I don't know if it is a single word or a phrase I'm after… both are welcome.

Best Answer

Two possibilities come straight to mind: frustrated and impotent - both convey the sense that there is nothing you can do about the situation:

I stood there quivering with frustrated rage.

Frustrated:

disappointed; thwarted: an announcer who was a frustrated actor.
having a feeling of or filled with frustration; dissatisfied.

From dictionary.reference.com

or

I stood there quivering with impotent rage.

Impotent:

not potent; lacking power or ability.
utterly unable (to do something).
without force or effectiveness.
lacking bodily strength or physically helpless.

Also from dictionary.reference.com

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