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Glite Dictionary
to help a lame dog over a stile

to help a lame dog over a stile

9.9
To do something kind for a person in trouble
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : echar una mano a alguien en apuros
  • He helped a lame dog over a stile yesterday.

Examples

  • We should all remember to help a lame dog over a stile when others find themselves struggling.

  • Jane believed in helping a lame dog over a stile, so she volunteered at the shelter every weekend.

  • It's always good to help a lame dog over a stile when you can offer support to someone in need.

  • Can you help a lame dog over a stile?

  • It's important to help a lame dog over a stile whenever you see someone struggling.

  • As a community, we should help a lame dog over a stile to support those in difficult situations.

  • Whenever you can, remember to help a lame dog over a stile for those who need an extra hand.

Synonyms

to help
vsto help a lame dog over a stile
∞ 1.0

To make a task or situation easier for someone

is narrower, focusing on aiding someone specifically in trouble
to help out
vsto help a lame dog over a stile
  • Informal
486 1.0

To do something for someone who cannot do it alone

is the idiomatic form rather than a plain phrase
to help someone out
vsto help a lame dog over a stile
  • Informal
182 1.3

Give someone support with a task or problem when they need it

is a colorful idiom expressing the very same support
to come to one's rescue
vsto help a lame dog over a stile
16 3.1

To help someone who is in trouble or danger

is the idiom used for giving assistance in general trouble, not urgent intervention
to come to the rescue
vsto help a lame dog over a stile
14 3.4

Arrive to help someone who is in trouble

is an idiom for offering assistance in trouble, not necessarily involving arrival
to lend a helping hand
vsto help a lame dog over a stile
  • Informal
6 2.7

To give someone support with a task or problem

is more about giving necessary support when someone is troubled
to succor
vsto help a lame dog over a stile
  • Formal
1 9.6

To give help to someone in a difficult or dangerous time

is the idiomatic everyday phrase for offering assistance in ordinary trouble

Antonyms

to abandon
773 3.1

Leave someone or something behind permanently and without care

to neglect
256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

Surface Forms

help a lame dog over a stile infinitive
helped a lame dog over a stile past
helped a lame dog over a stile past participle
helping a lame dog over a stile present participle
helps a lame dog over a stile third person singular

Morphology

help + a + lame + dog + over + a + stile

The literal components ('help' + 'a lame dog' + 'over a stile') create a clear physical image of assisting an impeded animal, so the metaphorical extension to assisting someone in difficulty is inferable from the parts. However, the expression is proverb-like, uses low-frequency vocabulary (stile) and requires pragmatic inference about assistance versus futility, so the relation is not fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

Help a lame dog over a stile is an old saying that paints a simple picture of a lame dog that cannot get over a stile, a small step or fence, without someone lifting it. So, the saying means 'to help someone in a difficult situation'.