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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.

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

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

One can’t help but wonder what is motivating her at this point.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 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

But I can’t help but wonder if some of the stigma comes from other places as well.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

As I get up, I can’t help noticing that most of the class have turned round to see what happened.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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