# help out

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/help-out
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to assist someone, especially by doing a specific task or giving them some of your time.

For teachers: to provide assistance to someone in a way that alleviates a burden or completes a specific task; often implies a helpful but non-essential contribution.

## Examples

- My brother helped out with the dishes after dinner.
- When the shop got busy, the manager asked the warehouse staff to help out at the tills.
- Local volunteers helped out during the flood recovery, providing essential supplies to families whose homes had been severely damaged.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He helped out me with my homework." but "He helped me out with my homework." — when using a pronoun like 'me', it must come between 'help' and 'out'.

## Usage notes

- can be used without an object or with 'with' to specify the task.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'help' (general); 'help out' often suggests helping in a difficult situation or sharing a workload.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.