help oneself
The phrase "help oneself" is versatile, often used to indicate permission to take something or to describe acting independently.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B1Everyday Life
(informal)To serve oneself, especially food or drink, without waiting to be served by others.
Example
- Please help yourself to some cookies.
B2General Use
(informal)To take something freely without asking for permission.
Example
- He helped himself to the office supplies without asking.
B2Behavior
(negative, informal)To be unable to control one's actions.
Example
- She couldn't help herself from laughing during the meeting.
B2Self-Reliance
(informal)To act independently or without assistance.
Example
- He prefers to help himself rather than rely on others.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "help oneself":
handle oneselfsort oneself outcarry oneselfsatisfy oneselftouch oneselffeel oneselfby oneselffind oneselftop oneselfbe oneselfpleasure oneselfdo it yourselfforget oneselfspeak for oneselfgive someone a handput oneself abouttake advantage