cannot help doing

somebody cannot help (doing) something | somebody cannot help but do something

​used to say that it is impossible to prevent or avoid something

I can't help thinking he knows more than he has told us.

He can’t help being ugly.

She couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.

It couldn't be helped (= there was no way of avoiding it and we must accept it).

He never does more work than he can help (= he does as little as possible).

I always end up having an argument with her, I don't know why, I just can't help it.

I couldn't help it if the bus was late (= it wasn't my fault).

She burst out laughing—she couldn't help herself (= couldn't stop herself).

She won’t be invited again, not if I can help it (= if I can do anything to prevent it).