it can't be helped
1
6.7
- idiom
:
no se puede evitar
- These things happen all the time; old people fall during the night; it can't be helped.
Examples
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He probably won't do this, of course, but will actually end up trapped in some hideous parody of a relationship with some equally ugly and loathsome woman whom he secretly hates, but it can't be helped.
Blog text (2) -
I'm afraid it can't be helped, dear.
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Well, it can't be helped.
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Never mind, it can't be helped now.
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But it can't be helped.
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Well, it can't be helped.
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Why, it can't be helped.
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Now I know this is going to be trying for all of us, but it can't be helped.
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It can't be helped, darling.
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I didn't expect the meeting to be canceled, but it can't be helped.
Synonyms
33
4.1
Accept a situation without trying to change it
5
6.8
To accept an unpleasant situation without complaining
2
7.4
Saying you accept a situation you cannot change
1
8.6
Tell someone to accept a situation they cannot change
Accept something as it is even if you do not like it
How Resigned
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is compositionally built from the modal 'can't' + passive 'be helped' meaning 'cannot be assisted or prevented', so a learner who knows the words and basic passive/modal grammar can infer that nothing can be done about the situation. This construction (an impersonal resignation meaning like 'there's nothing we can do') is common cross-linguistically, making it readily comprehensible to an average B1 learner.
Etymology
It can't be helped comes from the simple image of someone who needs help but no one can give it. So people say it to accept a situation that 'cannot be changed' and to show quiet acceptance.