help
verb/hɛlp/ 
make easier/better
1 [intransitive, transitive] to make it easier or possible for someone to do something by doing something for them or by giving them something that they needHelp, I'm stuck! help with somethingHe always helps with the housework. help someoneWe must try to help each other. help someone with somethingJo will help us with some of the organization. help (someone) in doing somethingI need contacts that could help me in finding a job. help someone (to) do somethingThe college's goal is to help students (to) achieve their aspirations.This charity works to help people (to) help themselves.Come and help me lift this box. help (to) do somethingShe helped (to) organize the party.help In verb patterns with a to infinitive, the “to” is often left out, especially in informal or spoken English.2 [intransitive, transitive] to improve a situation; to make it easier for something to happenIt helped being able to talk about it.The money raised will help toward (= partly provide) the cost of organizing the championships. help somethingIt doesn't really help matters knowing that everyone is talking about us. help (to) do somethingThis should help (to) reduce the pain.We need new measures to help (to) fight terrorism.someone to move
3 [transitive] help someone + adverb/preposition to help someone move by letting them lean on you, guiding them, etc.She helped him to his feet.We were helped ashore by local people.give food/drink
4 [transitive] to give yourself/someone food, drinks, etc. help yourselfIf you want another drink, just help yourself. help yourself/someone to somethingCan I help you to some more salad?steal
5 [transitive] help yourself to something (informal, disapproving) to take something without permission synonym stealHe'd been helping himself to the money in the cash register.someone can (not) help (doing) something
|someone can not help but do something
used to say that it is impossible to prevent or avoid something
I can't help thinking he knows more than he has told us.He can't help being ugly.She couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.He never does more work than he can help (= he does as little as possible).I always end up having an argument with her, I don't know why, I just can't help it.I couldn't help it if the bus was late (= it wasn't my fault).She burst out laughing—she couldn't help herself (= couldn't stop herself).She won't be invited again, not if I can help it (= if I can do anything to prevent it).can helpcan not help doingit can't be helped
used to say that there is no way of avoiding a bad situation
It couldn't be helped (= there was no way of avoiding it and we must accept it).it can't be helpedgive/lend a helping hand
to help someone
give a helping handlend a helping handGod/Heaven help someone
(informal) used to say that you are afraid someone will be in danger or that something bad will happen to themGod help us if this doesn't work.help Some people find this use offensive.God helpHeaven helpso help me (God)
used to swear that what you are saying is true, especially in a court of law
so help meso help me God