(it) couldn't be helped

A phrase used when one was faced with something (usually something unpleasant) that could not be avoided. I wasn't thrilled to spend my Saturday cleaning, but it couldn't be helped—the house was a mess! A: "Thanks so much for blowing me off for the dance, jerk." B: "Amy, it couldn't be helped—my mom had a medical emergency that night." Couldn't be helped. Look, I'm sorry you got your feelings hurt, but student council election campaigns always get dirty.