Meaning & use
lending a helping hand
Last updated
UK/ˌlendɪŋ ə ˌhelpɪŋ ˈhænd/
US/ˌlendɪŋ ə ˌhelpɪŋ ˈhænd/
“lending a helping hand” is a form of “lend a helping hand”.
Meaning
phraseidiom
Helping someone, especially by doing a task with them or for them.
Grammar: Follows a form of be or a verb: she is lending a helping hand.
Patterns
- lend someone a helping hand
Neighbors were lending a helping hand after the flood.
Thanks for lending a helping hand with the move.
She enjoys lending a helping hand at the shelter.
Common combinations
- lending a helping hand to
- He is lending a helping hand to the new students.
- always lending a helping hand
- She is always lending a helping hand.
- by lending a helping hand
- They built the barn by lending a helping hand.
- lending a helping hand with
- Thank you for lending a helping hand with dinner.
- lending a helping hand during
- Volunteers were lending a helping hand during the crisis.
Synonyms and how they differ
- assisting
- Assisting is more formal.
- pitching in
- Pitching in means joining a group effort.
- helping out
- Helping out is casual.
- supporting
- Supporting can be emotional or financial.
Opposites
Word family
- lend a hand idiom
- help
- helper noun
- a person who helps
Commonly confused: lending a helping hand or give a hand?
lending a helping hand vs give a hand
Give a hand can also mean to applaud.
Practice
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose one answer.
The fixed idiom is lend a helping hand.
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