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can't help

Idioms

Also,. Be unable to do otherwise. For example, I can't help thinking that the keys will turn up eventually, or He couldn't help but believe he would pass the entrance exam, or I cannot but applaud his efforts. The first of these phrases, can't help, is always followed by a present participle whereas the others take an infinitive. [c. 1700]

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.

“You can’t help but be nervous,” Commander Wiseman said preflight; the adjustments now seem to have worked.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

She said walking Captain Crumpet was a "real mood booster, I can't help but smile seeing his happy tail as he trots along".

From BBC • Apr. 5, 2026

“The Comeback” is a handy distilling mechanism for an industry that can’t help drowning itself in excess.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

There’s a big difference between saying, “We can’t help you,” and telling him, “We can’t give money, but we will help you figure this out.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 21, 2026

Mom’s acting so frantic and angry I can’t help but start to cry.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

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