/ help; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
MAKE EASIER / BETTER
1.
help (sb) (with sth) | help (sb) (in doing sth) to make it easier or possible for sb to do sth by doing sth for them or by giving them sth that they need :
[ v ]
Help, I'm stuck!
He always helps with the housework.
I need contacts that could help in finding a job.
[ vn ]
We must all try and help each other.
Jo will help us with some of the organization.
[ vn to inf ]
The college's aim is to help students (to) achieve their aspirations.
This charity aims to help people (to) help themselves.
[ vn inf ]
Come and help me lift this box.
[ v to inf ]
She helped (to) organize the party.
HELP NOTE : In verb patterns with a to infinitive, the 'to' is often left out, especially in informal or spoken English.
2.
to improve a situation; to make it easier for sth to happen :
[ v ]
It helped being able to talk about it.
[ vn ]
It doesn't really help matters knowing that everyone is talking about us.
[ v to inf ]
This should help (to) reduce the pain.
SB TO MOVE
3.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to help sb move by letting them lean on you, guiding them, etc. :
She helped him to his feet.
We were helped ashore by local people.
GIVE FOOD / DRINK
4.
[ vn ] help yourself / sb (to sth) to give yourself/sb food, drinks, etc. :
If you want another drink, just help yourself.
Can I help you to some more salad?
STEAL
5.
[ vn ] help yourself to sth ( informal , disapproving ) to take sth without permission
SYN steal :
He'd been helping himself to the money in the cash register.
•
IDIOMS
- sb can (not) help (doing) sth | sb can not help but do sth
- give / lend a helping hand
- God / Heaven help sb
- so help me (God)
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- help sb off / on with sth
- help out | help sb out
■ noun
MAKING EASIER / BETTER
1.
[ U ] help (with sth) the act of helping sb to do sth :
Thank you for all your help.
Do you need any help with that?
Can I be of any help to you?
None of this would have been possible without their help.
She stopped smoking with the help of her family and friends.
ADVICE / MONEY
2.
[ U ] help (with sth) advice, money, etc. that is given to sb in order to solve their problems :
to seek financial / legal / medical, etc. help
The organization offers practical help in dealing with paperwork.
You should qualify for help with the costs of running a car.
a help key / screen (= a function on a computer that provides information on how to use the computer)
BEING USEFUL
3.
[ U ] the fact of being useful :
The map wasn't much help .
With the help of a ladder, neighbours were able to rescue the children from the blaze.
Just shouting at him isn't going to be a lot of help.
FOR SB IN DANGER
4.
[ U ] the act of helping sb who is in danger :
Quick, get help!
She screamed for help.
PERSON / THING
5.
[ sing. ] a ~ (to sb) a person or thing that helps sb :
She was more of a hindrance than a help.
Your advice was a big help.
( ironic )
You're a great help, I must say!
IN HOUSE
6.
the help [ U+sing./pl. v . ] ( especially NAmE ) the person or people who are employed by sb to clean their house, etc.
—see also home help
•
IDIOMS
- there is no help for it
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English helpan (verb), help (noun), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch helpen and German helfen .