on n'y peut rien

there's nothing we can do about it

→ on

phrase Rare #37,405

there's nothing we can do about it A common expression of resignation or helplessness. On usually means “we” here, and y refers to the situation or problem being discussed.

FR: La décision est déjà prise, on n'y peut rien.

EN: The decision has already been made; there's nothing we can do about it.

On n'y peut rien.

There's nothing we can do about it.

— Reservoir Dogs (1992)

S'il est fou, on n'y peut rien !

If he's crazy, there's nothing we can do about it!

— Les Visiteurs (1993)

On n'y peut rien !

There’s nothing we can do!

— Porco Rosso (1992)

Je suppose qu'on n'y peut rien.

I suppose there’s nothing we can do about it.

Signora, on n'y peut rien.

Ma'am, there's nothing we can do about it.

— Malèna (2000)

On n'y peut rien du tout.

There’s absolutely nothing we can do about it.

— Le Sifflet (2026)