To help oneself is to take something without waiting to be served or offered: Help yourself to the cookies.
It implies freedom to act independently—guests help themselves at a buffet.
The phrase also means to take without permission, usually with a note of disapproval: He helped himself to the petty cash.
To say someone can't help themselves means they lack self-control.
1. steal — pilfer, Sneak off with trifles; swipe (Quick sliding motion); pocket (Fabric compartment in clothing); filch (Petty theft); take · snatch · shoplift · purloin · misappropriate · embezzle · thieve · peculate · kleptomania · sticky fingers
2. serve — buffet, Self-service meal display; portion (Divided share given); plate (Flat dish for food); scoop (First-reported story); ladle · tongs · cafeteria · refill · seconds · platter · tray · serving · dish · catering
Opposites
RESTRAINT AND SELF-CONTROLhelp oneself ≠ abstain Deliberately not do; refrain · hold back · resist · decline · deny oneself
PERMISSION AND PROPRIETYhelp oneself ≠ stand on ceremony Insist on strict formality; hold off · defer
SELF-RELIANCE VS. DEPENDENCEhelp oneself ≠ ask for help
Categories
reflexive actions; theft: stealing, larceny, steal, burglary, robbery
Family
help, oneself, self, helps, helped, helping, helper, helpers, helpful
- Familiarity
- Top 50,000
- Profile
- Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G