CAN'T/COULDN'T HELP definition: 1. If you can't/couldn't help something, such as acting in a particular way or making a particular…. Learn more.

When someone says “I can’t help it,” or "I can't help doing it,” it’s a way of saying that they don't want to do a particular thing because they know it's not good, but they can't stop themselves …

I know you're irritated, but they couldn't help arriving late—the whole city is locked in a traffic jam. I know it's silly, but I can't help feeling like I failed you somehow.

When we say that we “can’t help” doing something, it means that we are unable to prevent ourselves from doing it. This idiom is often used to express a lack of control over our actions or …

If you can't help the way you feel or behave, you cannot control it or stop it happening. You can also say that you can't help yourself. I can't help feeling sorry for the poor man. 'Please don't …

Can't help definition: 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, …

Oct 15, 2025 · can't help (third-person singular simple present can't help, no present participle, simple past couldn't help, no past participle) (idiomatic) Be unable to avoid a situation, or stop …

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English somebody can’t help (doing) something (also somebody can’t help but do something) used to say that someone is unable to change their …

Not able to avoid a situation, or stop something from happening. I can't help crying whenever I see Romeo and Juliet.

Meaning of can’t help in English can’t help idiom (also cannot help something) Add to word list to not be able to control or stop something: