help someone to something—serve a person with food, drink, etc.:
- “Shall I give you some strawberries, Mr. Hervey,” said Lady Anne, “or will you let Helena help you to some cherries?”
Note: The expression does not fully correlate in meaning with the phrase help oneself to something—
1. give oneself smth. such as food (without permission):
- The aroma was irresistible and I quickly helped myself to some crab meat on the table.
2. steal smth.:
- The robbers helped themselves to an undisclosed amount of cash, believed to be several thousand dollars, before fleeing the area.
help someone with something—
1. make it easier for a person to do smth. by providing assistance:
- Butch sent Willie some books to help him with grammar.
2. help a person to put on or take off clothing:
- Someone helped Janson with his coat, and he left the hall.