help sb (to) do sth I helped her to carry her cases up the
stairs. She helped him choose some new
clothes. herbal products that help you to relax and
sleephelp (to) do sth She was coming to help clean the
machines.help sb with sth Can I help you with the washing
up? My father said he's going to help me with the
fees.help sb on/off with sth(=help someone put on or
take off a piece of clothing)
Here, let me help you on with your
coat.help sb somewhere(=help someone get to a
particular place, especially because they are old, ill, or hurt)
She helped the old man across the
road. [I and T] to make a situation better,
easier, or less painful
Crying won't help. If you get rid of your car you could be helping
the environment.
It helps my concentration if I
listen to music while I'm working.
It helped a lot to know that someone
understood how I felt. Eight hours of deep sleep helped
enormously . help yourself (to sth)a) to take some of what you
want, without asking permission - used especially when offering food to
someone
Please help yourself to some
cake.b) informal to steal something
Obviously he had been helping himself to the
money. Help!spoken used to call people and ask them to help
you when you are in danger
sb can't help (doing) sth also sb can't help but do
sth used to say that someone is unable to change their behaviour or
feelings, or to prevent themselves from doing something
She couldn't help it if she was being
irrational. 'Stop biting your nails.' 'I can't help
it .' I can't help the way I feel about
you. Lee could not help but agree with
her.sb can't help feeling/thinking/wondering etc
sth I can't help feeling that there has been a
mistake. I couldn't help thinking about the
past. I couldn't help myself/she couldn't help herself etcto be
unable to stop yourself from doing something you should not do
She knew she sounded just like her mother but
she couldn't help herself. it can't be helpedspoken used to say that there is
nothing you can do to change a bad situation
She said she had to leave him for a while; it
couldn't be helped. sb is helping the police with their enquiriesBrE the
police are interviewing someone about a crime, especially because they believe
that this person may have committed the crime
a helping handhelp and support
give/lend/offer etc sb
a helping hand She's been giving me a helping hand with the
children. not if I can help itspoken used to say that you are
not going to do something
'Are you going to watch the school play?' 'Not
if I can help it.' God help him/them etcspoken used to say that
something bad may happen to someone
'Good luck.' 'God help me. I think I'm going to
need it.' so help me (God)used when making a serious promise,
especially in a court of law
help along [help sth⇔along]
phr vto make a process or activity happen more
quickly or easily
She asked a few questions to help the
conversation along.help out phr
vto help someone because they are busy or have problems
Do you need anyone to help out in the
shop?help sb⇔out (with sth) I helped her out when Stella became
ill. She was helping him out with his mortgage
repayments