Skip to main content
to seek help

to seek help

30 2.0
Ask someone for support when you face a problem
  • phrasal verb
  • /siːk hɛlp/
translation icon : pedir ayuda
  • If you are struggling with stress, it is important to seek help from a counselor.
  • seek help for their problems
  • seek help from friends
  • students seek help

So I did not try to seek help while I was being trafficked.

Autoplay Next

Examples

Synonyms

to beg
vsto seek help
417 1.0

Ask someone very seriously and urgently for something

is a calmer general request rather than a desperate plea
to look to
vsto seek help
133 3.1

To rely on someone for help or advice

is an active attempt to obtain assistance, not just depending on others
to appeal
vsto seek help
100 2.7

To make a serious request for help or support

is less formal and fits everyday requests for assistance
to ask for help
vsto seek help
98 1.0

To tell someone you need support with a task or problem

has identical meaning but uses a different verb phrase
to call for help
vsto seek help
59 1.6

To ask loudly for help in an emergency

is a broader request used in many problem situations, not only emergencies
to cry out for help
vsto seek help
7 2.7

To shout loudly when you need help right away

is a general request for assistance, not limited to shouting or emergencies
to call for support
vsto seek help
1 3.1

To ask people or groups for help when you need it

is the broader general expression used across many situations

Antonyms

to go it alone
  • Informal
26 5.3

To do something without help from other people

How Actively

to beg
417 1.0
to appeal
100 2.7
to seek help
30 2.0
mention
220 2.5

Surface Forms

seek help infinitive
seeking help present participle
seeks help third person singular
sought help past participle

Morphology

seek + help

The meaning 'to ask for or obtain assistance' is directly and compositionally built from 'seek' (to ask for/request) + 'help' (assistance). This is a straightforward verb + noun collocation that exists across languages and would be immediately understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

The phrase seek help comes from a clear picture: someone who cannot manage alone goes to find another person, because seek means 'look for' and help means 'a hand or support'. So, it means 'to ask for help or support when you have a problem'.