aid
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Related to aider: eider
Band-Aid solution
A quick and/or temporary solution to a problem that does not address or resolve the underlying cause of said problem. Taken from the Band-Aid brand of adhesive bandages. While offering free pizza to customers affected by the oil spill is a cute Band-Aid solution, the company has no plan in place to deal with the actual damage that it caused.
See also: solution
come to (someone's) aid
To provide assistance, support, or rescue to someone. Thank goodness the Coast Guard came to my aid, or I might have drowned out there. We were in serious financial trouble until Susan's mother came to our aid and helped us with some of our debt.
Band-Aid treatment
A method of covering up a problem, rather than solving it or getting to the root of it. Refers to the trademark for a brand of adhesive bandages. Honestly, I think this is just a Band-Aid treatment—we need to work harder and find a real solution.
See also: treatment
Band-Aid
A quick and usually ineffective solution to a problem that only addresses the symptom and not the root cause. Refers to the trademark for a brand of adhesive bandages. Primarily heard in US. Lowering educational standards in schools may increase graduation rates, but it does little more than slap a Band-Aid on a much deeper problem.
an aide-mémoire
Notes or pictures that one uses to remember something. When I was studying for the test, I made an aide-mémoire of all the steps in photosynthesis.
be in aid of
To support or help something or someone. The fundraiser is in aid of the local family whose house just burned down.
aid and abet
To assist someone, usually in a mischievous or illegal activity. Gary was arrested and charged with aiding and abetting the jewelry thief. I know other kids aided and abetted Paul in egging our house—he's just the only one who got caught.
aid (someone) in (something)
To assist someone in completing an action or activity. It was nice of Julie to aid me in cleaning my house before the party. Jim aided his son in changing the flat tire on the car.
See also: aid
bring (something) to (one's) aid
To provide something to someone in need of help or assistance. The kind woman at the information desk brought a wheelchair to my grandmother's aid.
What's (something) in aid of?
What is the reason for or purpose of (something)? Someone told me they just called an all-hands meeting for this afternoon. What is that in aid of?
See also: aid
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.
aid someone in doing something
to help someone do something. He aided her in fixing up the back bedroom.
See also: aid
aid someone in something
to help someone in some kind of trouble. Will you aid me in this difficulty?
See also: aid
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.
aid and abet
FORMALIf someone aids and abets another person, they help or encourage them to do something criminal or wrong. His wife was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for aiding and abetting him. Note: This expression is often used in legal contexts.
aid and abet
help and encourage someone to do something wrong, especially to commit a crime.Abet comes from an Old French term meaning ‘to encourage a hound to bite’.
1986 Frank Peretti This Present Darkness She strained to think of…any friend who would still aid and abet a fugitive from the law, without questions.
in aid of
in support of; for the purpose of raising money for. chiefly British 1999 Teesdale Mercury A wine and savoury evening in aid of cancer research will be held…on Friday.
what's all this in aid of?
what is the purpose of this? British informalin aid of somebody/something
(British English) in order to help somebody/something: The children spent the day collecting money in aid of charity.what’s (all) ˈthis, etc. in aid of?
(British English, spoken) what is the purpose or cause of something?: What’s all this crying in aid of?See also: aid
thirst-aid station
n. a place to purchase liquor. (Punning on first-aid station.) Let’s stop at the next thirst-aid station and get a snort.
See also: station