Come to the rescue
Meaning
To provide critical help or assistance to someone or something in a difficult, dangerous, or failing situation.
Origin
The phrase "come to the rescue" perfectly encapsulates the active, urgent nature of providing aid when it's most needed. While the word "rescue" traces its roots back to Old French, meaning "to deliver" or "save," it's the addition of "come" that gives the phrase its punch. It evokes a dynamic image: a hero, a solution, or a helping hand arriving just in time, moving directly into a challenging situation to avert disaster. This simple, direct phrasing has become a powerful, universal shorthand for decisive intervention, reflecting humanity's enduring hope for timely assistance in moments of peril.
Examples
- Just when the company faced bankruptcy, a new investor came to the rescue with a substantial capital injection.
- The brave lifeguard quickly came to the rescue, pulling the struggling swimmer from the strong current.