help themselves out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "help themselves out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone taking initiative to assist themselves in a situation or problem. Example: "In times of crisis, it's important for individuals to help themselves out rather than waiting for others to intervene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

If witnesses are going to lie, particularly to help themselves out, they're going to tell whoppers.

The Washington Post

It may also be a recognition by the community of the lack of effective health services and hence the need to help themselves out in the face of adversaries or emergencies (ill health).

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

In order to stay on top of their condition, kids will naturally try to help themselves out and ask questions.

WikiHow

During the lunch hour, if Mike is too busy to wait on the customers, they grab plates and help themselves out of the pots on the range.

The New Yorker

"There's has been a tremendous lack of investment, it's very hard to gain employment – and that's key to getting people to help themselves out of homelessness".

The Guardian

After two decades with the community development agency Asian Neighborhood Design in San Francisco, he founded the Family Independence Initiative in Oakland in 2001 with the goal of helping low-income working families help themselves out of poverty.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

So when students enroll in eArmyU, he said, "not only are they helping themselves out, but they are also helping out the mission".

The New York Times - Tech

Ukrainians are best positioned to help themselves by reaching out to the Russian society.

HuffPost

Ms. Duncan tells the women ways they can help themselves get out of the shelter, but reminds them that it will take perseverance.

The New York Times

"They are taking money from them that could otherwise be used to help themselves get out of the shelter system," agreed Arnold S. Cohen, the president and chief executive of the Partnership for the Homeless.

The New York Times

That makes sense, but they couldn't help themselves, rolling out the welcome wagon, going one step further than many Mets fans want to see, bestowing a first pitch honor onto him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "help themselves out" to emphasize personal agency and responsibility in overcoming obstacles or achieving goals.

Common error

Avoid using "help themselves out" when the subjects' actions are merely supplementary or insufficient without external aid. The phrase implies a greater degree of self-sufficiency than may be present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help themselves out" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to describe an action taken by individuals to improve their own situation or solve a problem independently. Ludwig's examples show it often follows verbs like enable, allow, or support, indicating the provision of means for self-improvement. It emphasizes self-reliance and initiative.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "help themselves out" is a commonly used phrase that indicates individuals taking initiative to improve their own circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent use in news and media, along with wiki and formal business contexts. When writing, prioritize contexts emphasizing self-reliance and avoid overstating the independence of actions. Alternatives such as "take initiative" or "be self-reliant" can be considered to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be self-reliant

Focuses on the ability to depend on oneself.

become self-sufficient

Highlights the goal of needing no outside help.

take initiative

Emphasizes proactively starting something without direct instruction.

find their own solutions

Focuses on independently discovering answers to problems.

be resourceful

Highlights the ability to find clever ways to overcome difficulties.

be proactive

Stresses taking action before problems escalate.

manage on their own

Implies the capacity to handle situations independently.

take matters into their own hands

Suggests assuming direct control of a situation.

rise to the occasion

Emphasizes meeting a challenge with competence and resolve.

fend for themselves

Suggests dealing with difficulties without assistance.

FAQs

How can I use "help themselves out" in a sentence?

You can use "help themselves out" to describe situations where individuals are independently improving their circumstances, such as "Providing resources enables communities to "help themselves out" of poverty".

What does it mean to "help themselves out"?

To "help themselves out" means to take initiative and use available resources to improve one's own situation or solve one's own problems without relying solely on external assistance.

Which is the better phrase, "help themselves" or "help themselves out"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "help themselves out" often implies a more active and self-directed effort to resolve a problem or improve a situation. "Help themselves" can be more general.

Are there situations where "help themselves out" might not be the right phrase?

Yes, it's not suitable when individuals are entirely dependent on external support, or when their actions are insignificant compared to the aid they receive. In such cases, phrases like "receive assistance" or "benefit from support" might be more accurate.