lend a hand
Pitch in voluntarily
To lend a hand is to help someone with a task: Could you lend a hand moving this couch?
The phrase suggests temporary, practical assistance rather than ongoing support.
Someone who lends a hand pitches in when needed, then steps back.
- assistTo give support
- succorHelp given in distress
- bail outRescue from trouble
- step inInvolve oneself to help
- helpAssistance given
pitch in · support · aid · volunteer · go the extra mile · good deed · relieve · pick up the slack · contribute · camaraderie · collaborate · pull together · chip in · come through · be there · have someone's back · cooperate · solidarity
- caregivingcaregiver, take care, nurture, look after, compassionate care
- body idiomsheart of gold, heart of stone, cold heart, warm heart, soft heart
- expressions about providinggive and take, dish out, dole out, pass out, give away
- helpingaid, assist, help, support, help out
- asking for helpplease help, help me, help wanted, SOS, mayday
- social actionsinteract, communicate, connect, socialize, engage
lend a handturn one's back
Withdraw support deliberately
abandon · leave in the lurch · leave someone hanging · wash one's hands of · ignore
lend a handdo nothing
Remain inactive deliberately
sit on one's hands · stand by · twiddle one's thumbs · look the other way · mind one's own business
hand, lend, handy, loan, assistant, assistance, lent, lender, lending