Arrimar el hombro

to pitch in; **to pitch in**; **to lend a hand**; **to pull one's weight**; **to do one's part**; **to help out**

Arrimar el hombro means to lend a hand, to pitch in, to do one's part, to help out, or to pull one's weight.

It expresses the idea of actively contributing effort, especially in a cooperative situation.

• helps with a shared task
• contributes to teamwork
• supports others during difficult times
• works together to solve a problem
• shares responsibility instead of leaving everything to others

The expression comes from the physical act of pushing heavy loads with the shoulder.

Before modern machinery, moving carts, stones or other large objects often required several people to press their shoulders against them simultaneously.

This image naturally evolved into a metaphor for cooperation and shared effort.

The expression has a strongly positive connotation.

It highlights solidarity, teamwork and collective responsibility.

Politicians, employers, teachers and parents frequently use it to encourage people to contribute to a common objective.

Spanish has several expressions connected with cooperation:

• Arrimar el hombro → to pitch in.
• Echar una mano → to lend a hand.
• Poner de su parte → to do one's part.
• Remar en la misma dirección → to row in the same direction.

Among them, arrimar el hombro is perhaps the most visual, preserving the image of people literally placing their shoulders together to move something that none of them could move alone.

Do not translate the expression literally.

Although English occasionally uses put one's shoulder to the wheel, the most natural translations today are:

• to pitch in
• to lend a hand
• to help out
• to pull one's weight

Choose the translation according to whether the emphasis is on helping, teamwork or responsibility.