Help & Support: English Vocabulary List

everything a person has to offer for helping someone, even things that they need for themselves

"He gives shirt off his back."

"She is so generous; she would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it."

to beg someone for help or forgiveness

"He threw himself at her feet."

"The defeated general threw himself at the victor's feet, begging for mercy."

to show one's support of someone or something by defending them at any cost

"She took up the cudgels."

"When her friend was unfairly criticized, she immediately picked up the cudgels to defend her."

to kindly help or protect someone, particularly someone who is young or not experienced enough

"The mentor took her under his wing."

"The experienced teacher took the new student under her wing and helped him adjust to the school."

to show strong support for a person or thing when they are faced with danger or criticism

"Always stick up for your friends."

"You should always stick up for your little brother when other kids try to bully him at school."

together working toward a shared aim

"The soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder."

"The workers stood shoulder to shoulder demanding better pay and safer working conditions from their employer."

to give or take things equally and in a way that is fair to everyone

"The children learned to share and share alike."

"The children were taught to share and share alike so there were never any arguments about toys or food."

to offer someone help, usually while expecting them a favor in exchange

"I'll scratch your back."

"He's always willing to help out, but he expects you to scratch his back in return later."

to be willing to help or support a person, cause, etc., often by offering money

"Open your heart now."

"The charity asked people to open their hearts to the refugees fleeing the war-torn country."

used to describe kneeling as a sign of deep respect for someone

"He proposed on bended knee."

"He proposed to her on bended knee in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris."

a person who listens to someone's problems and encourages them and gives them emotional support

"She offered a shoulder to cry on."

"When her relationship ended her sister was always there as a shoulder to cry on."

to assure someone that they no longer need to worry about a particular person or thing

"This news put my mind at ease."

"The doctor's reassuring words finally set my mother's mind at ease after weeks of worrying about the test results."

while being supported by or under the protection of someone or something

"The event was under the auspices of the mayor."

"The charity event was organised under the auspices of the Red Cross and raised thousands of pounds."

to provide an opportunity for someone to succeed at or achieve something

"Give him a shot at the job."

"The manager decided to give the young apprentice a shot at leading the project on his own."

to ask a knowledgeable or informed person their opinion on something

"Can I pick your brain?"

"I'd like to pick your brain about your experience starting a small business."

in a manner that is humble and respectful

"He came back hat in hand, begging for forgiveness."

"He went to his father hat in hand to ask for money to pay his debts."

to do something that calms someone who has been offended

"He tried to smooth her ruffled feathers."

"The manager tried to smooth the employee's ruffled feathers by apologising for the misunderstanding."

to contribute a sum of money, often in small amounts

"Everyone fed the kitty this week."

"We all need to feed the kitty if we want to buy a nice gift for her birthday."

to be willing to help or support a person, cause, etc., often by offering money

"Open your heart to them."

"During the crisis, the community was urged to open their hearts to the refugees by providing essential aid and support."

someone who bravely saves another from a danger or difficulty

"He is a knight in shining armor."

"When the financial crisis hit, the unexpected investor arrived like a knight in shining armor, saving the struggling company from bankruptcy."