Phrasal verb
help out
Meanings
to give practical help to someone with a task or problem, especially when they need extra support
to work temporarily or do extra duties to support a group or workplace
Definition
To help out means to give someone practical help, often for a short time or when needed.
To help out is to assist someone by doing a task or sharing your time and effort. It often suggests the help is practical and temporary, especially when a person is busy or a situation is difficult. You can help out at home, at work, or in your community.
Examples
- Can you help out with the groceries after dinner?
- I’ll help out at the event by setting up chairs.
- She helped out her neighbor by walking the dog for a week.
- They helped out at the café when the staff was short-handed.
Common mistake
Learners often say "help out someone" without "with" for a task; use "help someone out" or "help out with something."
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.