I heard an intern say this in a call recently and cringed. Here’s a note of reminder to help others breaking into the business know to not ever use this sentence. Such behavior might make Forrest Gump look like a “God damn hero” to his drill sergeant, but people in the tech industry (and Star Trek episodes, which is a tech industry) are looking for more.
People expect a certain level of solutions research before throwing out the “I dunno what to do” statement. Perhaps something that implies you have already tried some other angles and come up with some different directions. Then you present your directions and ask for a decision about which prepared way to proceed rather than just asking without any preparation at all.
Of course, the circumstance depends. You might not have the luxury of time to prepare solutions in advance, say in an emergency situation. And, yes, often you are supposed to just do what you are told. But usually a little forethought before making that statement will not only keep you engaged in creating solutions and progress but also ensure those around you perceive your dedication to moving forward rather than just stalling out.
Honestly, it is not the fault of the person a lot of the time. Often they have been bludgeoned by “traditional” education models so much that even doing anything on their own makes them feel uncomfortable. But an autodidact who is well habituated to learning and solving problems on their own will just never let those words part from their lips.