help

1 

: to do something that makes it easier for someone to do a job, to deal with a problem, etc. : to aid or assist someone[+ object]

• Let me help you with that box. = Let me help you lift/carry that box.
• help a child with her homework = help a child (to) do her homework
• I helped her up/down the stairs. [=I gave her support so that she could go up/down the stairs]
• Help me! I'm drowning!

[no object]

• Don't blame me: I was only trying to help!
• She helped (to) set the table.
• Help! Somebody call the police!

2 

: to make something less severe : to make something more pleasant or easier to deal with[+ object]

• Rest helps a cold.
• She took an aspirin to help her headache.
• Some color would really help [=improve] this room.
• Humor often helps a tense situation.

[no object]

• Yelling doesn't help.
• It's not much money, but every little bit helps.
• — often followed by to + verbIt helps to know you care. [=I feel better because I know that you care]

3 [+ object]

• a  : to give (yourself or another person) food or drinkThere's plenty of food, so help yourself. [=take as much food as you would like]

• — often + toHe helped his neighbor to a glass of wine.
• Help yourself to whatever you'd like.
• b  informal : to take something for (yourself) without permissionHe saw the money lying on the table, and he helped himself. [=he took the money]

• — usually + toHe helped himself to the money.

can help

◊ If you can help something, you can prevent it from happening.

• Can I help it [=is it my fault] if no one listens to my advice?
• There will be no more layoffs. At least not if I can help it. [=if I can prevent it; if it is up to me]

cannot help

1 

◊ If you cannot help yourself, you cannot control your actions or stop yourself from doing something.

• I know I shouldn't eat any more, but I can't help myself.
• They knew they shouldn't go, but they couldn't help themselves.

2 

◊ If you cannot help something, you cannot stop it or prevent it.

• I can't help loving you.
• I know I shouldn't be angry, but I can't help it—it's just the way I feel.

3 

◊ If you cannot help doing something or cannot help but do something, you cannot stop yourself from doing it.

• I couldn't help having some dessert.
• We couldn't help laughing. = We couldn't help but laugh.

4 

◊ Something that cannot be helped cannot be avoided.

• It's too bad that we have to leave, but it can't be helped.

God/Lord/heaven help (someone)

• — used to express strong feelings of worry or concern about what is happening or could happenIf he ever gets control of the country, Lord help us!
• Heaven help you [=you will be in trouble] when he finds out you dented the car.

help off/on

[phrasal verb]

help (someone) off/on with (something)

• : to do something that makes it easier for (someone) to put on or take off (clothing, shoes, etc.)Let me help you off with your boots.
• He helped her on with her coat.

help out

[phrasal verb]

help out or help (someone) out or help out (someone)

• : to do something so another person's job or task is easierI can't do this myself. Won't someone please help me out?
• I sometimes help out in the kitchen.
• He helped out with the bills whenever he could. [=he helped pay the bills whenever he could]

so help me (God)

• — used to stress that a statement is serious and truthfulI'm going on a diet and, so help me, this time I'll stick to it!