English

Verb

help oneself

1. (reflexive) To take something freely; to serve oneself without restraint.

   He said I could help myself to the chocolates.

   • 1920, Herman Cyril McNeile, Bulldog Drummond Chapter 1

     Hugh helped himself to bacon. "My dear fellow, she can think what she likes so long as she continues to grill bacon like this. Your wife is a treasure, James—a pearl amongst women; and you can tell her so with my love."

2. To exhibit self-control.

   Sorry for eating all the chocolates - I couldn't help myself.

3. Used other than as an idiom: see help.

   God helps those who help themselves.

Translations