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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.

While some say video is boosting podcasts’ appeal and making shows easier to discover on social media, others can’t help but feel that their beloved medium is neglecting them as it caters to another audience.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

"I can't help but feel that for eight weeks, I'd been slowly poisoning my son."

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

“Of course, it’s concerning to watch the news, and you can’t help but feel terribly sorry for people who are exposed to all these terrible things,” Hagen said.

From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026

They’re so repetitious, you can’t help but tune them out.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

She can’t help it that she isn’t able to walk alone.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret

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