"what was he to do?"

what does that mean? could you give me some examples, please? は 英語 (アメリカ) で何と言いますか？

質問を翻訳

it’s short for “what was he (supposed) to do?” it’s kind of a rhetorical question. it means, like, “there was no other option” or “it couldn’t be helped”

for example,
situation: a family went on a road trip and the son accidentally wet his pants, so now his dad is angry at him

dad: “you should’ve gone to the bathroom before we left!”
mom: “it’s not his fault! he didn’t need to go to the bathroom before we left and we’re an hour away from the nearest rest stop. what was he to do?”