aid

aid someone in something

to help someone in some kind of trouble. Will you aid me in this difficulty?

aid someone in doing something

to help someone do something. He aided her in fixing up the back bedroom.

See also: doing

aid and abet someone

Cliché to help someone; to incite someone to do something, possibly something that is wrong. (Originally a legal phrase.) He was scolded for aiding and abetting the boys who were fighting.

See also: abet, and

be in aid of

to be intended to help, cure, or resolve. What is all this in aid of? I don't understand what your comments are in aid of.

bring something to someone's aid

to bring something with which to help someone. The officer brought medical supplies to our aid. An ambulance was brought to the injured man's aid.

See also: bring

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a Band-Aid  (American)

a temporary solution to a problem, or something that seems to be a solution but has no real effect

Usage notes: Band-Aid is a trademark for a thin piece of sticky material used to cover small cuts on the body.

A few food and medical supplies were delivered to the region but it was little more than a Band-Aid. (American)

What's something in aid of?  (British & Australian informal)

something that you say when you want to know why someone has done something I heard the shouting from the other side of the building. What was that in aid of? A present! What's this in aid of?