(I) COULDN'T HELP IT.
(I) couldn't help it.: translation
(I) couldn't help it.
There was no way I could prevent it.; I was unable to prevent something from happening.; I was unable to control myself. •
Sally: You let the paint dry with brush marks in it. Mary: I couldn't help it. The telephone rang.
•
Fred: You got fingerprints all over the window. Mary: Sorry. Couldn't help it.