1 help
Pronounced:
/ˈhɛlp/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
helps; helped; help·ingMeaning:
1 : to do something that makes it easier for someone to do a job, to deal with a problem, etc. : to aid or assist someone [+ obj] ▪ Let me help you with that box. = Let me help you lift/carry that box. ▪ help a child with her homework = help a child (to) do her homework ▪ I helped her up/down the stairs. [=I gave her support so that she could go up/down the stairs] ▪ Help me! I'm drowning! [no obj] ▪ Don't blame me: I was only trying to help! ▪ She helped (to) set the table. ▪ Help! Somebody call the police!
2 : to make something less severe : to make something more pleasant or easier to deal with [+ obj] ▪ Rest helps a cold. ▪ She took an aspirin to help her headache. ▪ Some color would really help [=improve] this room. ▪ Humor often helps a tense situation. [no obj] ▪ Yelling doesn't help. ▪ It's not much money, but every little bit helps. —often followed by to + verb ▪ It helps to know you care. [=I feel better because I know that you care]
3 [+ obj] a : to give (yourself or another person) food or drink ▪ There's plenty of food, so help yourself. [=take as much food as you would like] —often + to ▪ He helped his neighbor to a glass of wine. ▪ Help yourself to whatever you'd like. b informal : to take something for (yourself) without permission ▪ He saw the money lying on the table, and he helped himself. [=he took the money] —usually + to ▪ He helped himself to the money.
2 : to make something less severe : to make something more pleasant or easier to deal with [+ obj] ▪ Rest helps a cold. ▪ She took an aspirin to help her headache. ▪ Some color would really help [=improve] this room. ▪ Humor often helps a tense situation. [no obj] ▪ Yelling doesn't help. ▪ It's not much money, but every little bit helps. —often followed by to + verb ▪ It helps to know you care. [=I feel better because I know that you care]
3 [+ obj] a : to give (yourself or another person) food or drink ▪ There's plenty of food, so help yourself. [=take as much food as you would like] —often + to ▪ He helped his neighbor to a glass of wine. ▪ Help yourself to whatever you'd like. b informal : to take something for (yourself) without permission ▪ He saw the money lying on the table, and he helped himself. [=he took the money] —usually + to ▪ He helped himself to the money.
can help
◊If you can help something, you can prevent it from happening. ▪ Can I help it [=is it my fault] if no one listens to my advice? ▪ There will be no more layoffs. At least not if I can help it. [=if I can prevent it; if it is up to me]
cannot help
1 ◊If you cannot help yourself, you cannot control your actions or stop yourself from doing something. ▪ I know I shouldn't eat any more, but I can't help myself. ▪ They knew they shouldn't go, but they couldn't help themselves.
2 ◊If you cannot help something, you cannot stop it or prevent it. ▪ I can't help loving you. ▪ I know I shouldn't be angry, but I can't help it—it's just the way I feel.
3 ◊If you cannot help doing something or cannot help but do something, you cannot stop yourself from doing it. ▪ I couldn't help having some dessert. ▪ We couldn't help laughing. = We couldn't help but laugh.
4 ◊Something that cannot be helped cannot be avoided. ▪ It's too bad that we have to leave, but it can't be helped.
2 ◊If you cannot help something, you cannot stop it or prevent it. ▪ I can't help loving you. ▪ I know I shouldn't be angry, but I can't help it—it's just the way I feel.
3 ◊If you cannot help doing something or cannot help but do something, you cannot stop yourself from doing it. ▪ I couldn't help having some dessert. ▪ We couldn't help laughing. = We couldn't help but laugh.
4 ◊Something that cannot be helped cannot be avoided. ▪ It's too bad that we have to leave, but it can't be helped.
God/Lord/heaven help (someone)
—used to express strong feelings of worry or concern about what is happening or could happen ▪ If he ever gets control of the country, Lord help us! ▪ Heaven help you [=you will be in trouble] when he finds out you dented the car.
help off/on [phrasal verb]
help (someone) off/on with (something) : to do something that makes it easier for (someone) to put on or take off (clothing, shoes, etc.) ▪ Let me help you off with your boots. ▪ He helped her on with her coat.
help out [phrasal verb]
help out or help (someone) out or help out (someone) : to do something so another person's job or task is easier ▪ I can't do this myself. Won't someone please help me out? ▪ I sometimes help out in the kitchen. ▪ He helped out with the bills whenever he could. [=he helped pay the bills whenever he could]
so help me (God)
—used to stress that a statement is serious and truthful ▪ I'm going on a diet and, so help me, this time I'll stick to it!