Synonyms

helping hand

American

noun

aid; assistance.

to give the destitute a helping hand.

helping hand British

noun

assistance

many people lent a helping hand in making arrangements for the party

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

helping hand Idioms

see under lend a hand.

Etymology

Origin of helping hand

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

What’s more, lower interest rates and new tax cuts were expected to lend a helping hand.

From MarketWatch

Dishwashers need a helping hand to reach their peak performance.

From BBC

“The voters are stuck with no choice here. And I had a helping hand in creating that situation.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Colleges should do more to monitor the progress of male students, persuade them not to drop out and stay connected with—and offer a helping hand to—those who leave but may want to return.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Sometimes we all need a little helping hand."

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023