give a helping hand
To give one's assistance (to someone) in order to deal with or overcome some difficult task or situation. A noun or pronoun can be used between "give" and "a" to specify whom one is helping. Shania is just one of the most generous people I've ever met, always ready to give a helping hand whenever someone needs it. OK, now that your work is done, I want you to give the marketing team a helping hand to get this advertising campaign ready in time for our launch. Our customers are always our highest priority, so whenever they're facing financial difficulties, we're more than happy to give them a helping hand.
help (someone) get a foothold in (something)
To help one obtain an initial, stable position from which one can progress in a particular industry or area. Taking a role on a soap opera has helped many aspiring actors get a foothold in the entertainment business. I bet my aunt could help you get a foothold in that company—she's the CEO's receptionist. We have got to take this meeting. Peter Andrews is a major player—he could help us finally get a foothold in the industry!
help (someone) off with (something)
To assist someone in removing a clothing item. Help Grandma off with her coat, will you? I'll help the kids off with their bathing suits while you hang their towels on the clothesline. I'm so pregnant now that I can hardly bend over. My husband has to help me off with my shoes!
help (someone) on with (something)
To assist someone in putting on a clothing item. Help Grandma on with her coat, will you? I'll help the kids on with their bathing suits while you get their towels. Now that my wife is eight months pregnant, I have to help her on with her shoes.
help a lame dog over a stile
obsolete To help or assist someone in need in some fundamental or basic way. He has so much money that it would be no effort at all for him to help a lame dog over a stile, but the man is adamant that not a penny of his fortune be used toward charity of any kind. I'm grateful every day that my grandparents took me in when I could have wound up in an orphanage. They certainly helped a lame dog over a stile. Help a lame dog over a stile once in awhile. It's not like you don't have the means to, Reginald.
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."
helping hand
Assistance with a task, or a person who provides such assistance. I could really use a helping hand carrying all of these boxes downstairs. You've been such a helping hand with this dinner, I couldn't have done it without you! Hey, if you need a helping hand with this mailing, feel free to enlist some of the interns.
lend a hand
To help. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lend" and "a." If you can lend a hand, we could use some more help in the kitchen. Lend your mother a hand in the kitchen, will you?
lend a helping hand
To give one's assistance (to someone) in order to deal with or overcome some difficult task or situation. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lend" and "a" to specify whom one is helping. Shania is just one of the most generous people I've ever met, always ready to lend a helping hand whenever someone needs it. OK, now that your work is done, I want you to lend the marketing team a helping hand to get this advertising campaign ready in time for our launch. Our customers are always our highest priority, so whenever they're facing financial difficulties, we're more than happy to lend them a helping hand.
offer a helping hand
To make available one's assistance (to someone) to deal with or overcome some difficult task or situation. A noun or pronoun can be used between "offer" and "a" to specify whom one is helping. Shania is just one of the most generous people I've ever met, always ready to offer a helping hand whenever someone needs it. Our customers are always our highest priority, so whenever they're facing financial difficulties, we're more than happy to offer them a helping hand.
pitch in and help
To volunteer to join in (with someone) to help out (with some task). Jim is always willing to pitch in and help with any housework that needs doing. We all pitched in and helped so that the house would be clean before Mom and Dad got home. The only way we'll get the project finished in time is if everyone pitches in and helps.
second helping
A second serving of food after one has finished their initial serving. A: "Would you like a second helping?" B: "Yes, please! This roast is delicious!" No, I couldn't possibly have a second helping, I'm too full.
there's no helping (something)
Some situation, fact, or piece of information cannot be ignored or avoided. Advocating for renewable energy is important, but there's no helping the fact that the world needs non-renewable energy sources as well. I've been trying to ignore this pain in my chest for over a week now, but there's no helping it: I need to see a doctor.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
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.
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 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 (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.
*a helping hand
Fig. help; physical help, especially with the hands. (*Typically: get ~; need ~; give someone ~; offer ~; offer someone ~.) When you feel like you need a helping hand making dinner, just let me know.
lend a hand
(to someone) Go to lend (someone) a hand.
lend (someone) a hand
and lend a hand (to someone)Fig. to give someone some help, not necessarily with the hands. Could you lend me a hand with this piano? I need to move it across the room. Could you lend a hand with this math assignment? I'd be happy to lend a hand.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.