help (one) out
1. To aid or assist one (in doing something). A noun or pronoun can be used between "help" and "out." Can you help us out with the bake sale? Oh sure, I can help you out with that. I need at least two more people to help me out at the job fair.
2. To give or provide one (with something). A noun or pronoun can be used between "help" and "out." Any chance you can help me out with the name of a good plumber? If you need money for the tip, I can help you out with a few dollars. Don't worry, I'll help you out with some gift ideas for the kids.
3. To help one to remove an article of clothing. A noun or pronoun can be used between "help" and "out." Please help Grandma out of her coat. I'm so pregnant now that I can hardly bend over. My husband has to help me out of my shoes! Be a gentleman and help your date out of her coat.
4. To help one or an animal to physically get out of some thing or place. A noun or pronoun can be used between "help" and "out." I had to help the scared dog out of the cage. Your brother got stuck in the cupboard again. Would you go help him out? Do firefighters really help cats out of trees?
help out
To provide aid or assistance. Can you help out with the bake sale? It makes me proud that my kids like to help out around the house. A: "Please don't touch anything!" B: "OK, sheesh. I was just trying to help out."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
help (someone) out
to help someone do something; to help someone with a problem. I am trying to raise this window. Can you help me out? I'm always happy to help out a friend.
help someone (or an animal) out (of something)
1. to help someone or an animal get out of something or some place. Please help your grandmother out of the car. Please help the cat out of the carton.
2. to help someone or an animal get out of a garment. She helped the dog out of its sweater. I helped her out of her coat when we got inside.
3. to help someone or an animal get out of trouble. Can you please help me out of this mess that I got myself into? You are in a real mess. We will help you out.
help out (with something)
to help with a particular chore. Would you please help out with the dishes? I have to help out at home on the weekends.
help out
some place to help [with the chores] in a particular place. Would you be able to help out in the kitchen? Sally is downtown, helping out at the shop.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
help out
Give additional assistance, as in I offered to help out with the holiday rush at the store. [Early 1600s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
help out
v.1. To assist someone in doing some work or activity: Our children always help us out with the chores. You can help out the neighbors by raking their leaves. This place is a mess—come help out.
2. To aid someone by providing something: We helped out my relatives by lending them money after the fire. When my neighbors needed a ladder to fix the roof, I helped them out. After the disaster, we helped out by donating money.
3. To assist someone emerging from something or some place: An assistant helped the injured man out of the car.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.