cannot make tbe universe turn back on its course; cannot(/unable to) save the (desperate) situation ? 將軍們～，一籌莫展。The generals could not save the desperate s/tuat/on and were at their wits’ end.
回天乏術hui tian fa shu
know no way to save the situation
回天乏術huí tiān fá shù
回天：比喻挽回極難挽回的局勢；乏：缺少；術：方法。比喻無法挽回嚴重的局勢。have no plan to make improvements, unable to save the situation, powerless to save the desperate situation