handle1 verbhandle2 noun
handlehan‧dle1 /ˈhændl/ ●●● S1 W2 verb 
VERB TABLE
handle
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | handle |
| he, she, it | handles | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | handled |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have handled |
| he, she, it | has handled | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had handled |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will handle |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have handled |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am handling |
| he, she, it | is handling | |
| you, we, they | are handling | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was handling |
| you, we, they | were handling | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been handling |
| he, she, it | has been handling | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been handling |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be handling |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been handling |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A lot of people find it difficult to handle criticism.
- At one time, AT&T handled over 70% of the nation's long-distance calls.
- Bennet was charged with handling stolen goods.
- Carver handles the basketball with confidence and skill.
- Francis is a natural leader. He's very good at handling people.
- HPC Architects handled the architectural work.
- I can only handle Bob for about fifteen minutes.
- I knew I would have to be very careful how I handled Odette - she was so emotional.
- It's her first year as a doctor, but she is handling the pressures of the job very well.
- Jones has handled a wide variety of criminal cases.
- Please do not handle the fruit and vegetables.
- She doesn't want anyone to think she can't handle the pressure.
- The whole situation has been very badly handled.
- There were a few problems, but nothing I couldn't handle.
- This violin is very old and valuable and must be handled carefully.
- You'll receive specific training on how to handle angry customers.
- You should wash your hands after handling raw meat.
- You were very discreet about the whole thing - I appreciate the way you handled it.
- Always handle your food jar with care.
- Cleaning the beat meant fitting each new situation into past patterns, trying to handle them according to traditional recipes.
- He handled me the way I wanted to be treated.
- It is the key format for handling large volumes of information.
- Lieutenant Richards will tell you that each of the weapons was carefully handled to preserve any possible latent fingerprints.
- The better way to handle the situation is to render the cats infertile without actually neutering them.
- This extends across all five years and gives students the opportunity to handle animals from the start of the course.
- Three or four staff members handle incoming telephone calls.
THESAURUS
to take the necessary action, especially in order to solve a problem: · We need to deal with problems like pollution and climate change.· I spend most of my day dealing with customer enquiries.
to deal with a problem or difficult situation by making particular decisions – used especially when talking about how well or badly someone does this: · He handled the situation very well.· Most customers were happy with the way their complaints had been handled.
to start to deal with a problem, especially one that is complicated: · We need to tackle the issue of drugs in schools.· The government is introducing new measures to tackle online crime.
to deal with all the practical details of something that needs to be done or organized. Attend to is more formal than see to: · My son saw to all the funeral arrangements.· I have some business to attend to.
to do the work or make the arrangements that are necessary for something to happen – used especially when you do this for someone else so that they do not have to worry about it: · My secretary takes care of all the paperwork.
if a company or organization processes a letter, form etc, they do the things that are usually done as part of their official system, in order to deal with it: · It will take a minimum of 14 days to process your passport application.· I called their office, and they said that my request was still being processed.
to put your fingers or hand onto someone or something for a very short time: · Don’t touch the iron – it’s hot!
to touch something with your fingers in order to find out about it: · Feel how soft this material is.· I felt his forehead. It was cold.
to touch something and pick it up and hold it in your hands: · Children should always wash their hands before handling food.· The glass was very fragile, and she handled it with great care.· Please do not handle the merchandise.
to touch or handle something with your fingers, especially while you are thinking of other things: · She fingered the heavy necklace around her neck.
to move your hand over a surface while pressing it: · Bob rubbed his eyes and yawned.
to rub part of your body with your nails, often because it itches: · The dog kept scratching its ear.· Bob scratched his head thoughtfully.
to move your fingers lightly over someone’s body in order to make them laugh: · The baby giggled as I tickled him.
to touch someone’s body in a sexual way when they do not want to be touched: · The officer was accused of groping several women in his platoon.
Longman Language Activatorto behave towards someone in a particular way to behave towards someone or deal with someone in a particular way: treat somebody well/badly: · Amy's treated him really badly - no wonder he's upset.treat somebody like somebody/something: · I'm sick of my parents treating me like a child.treat somebody like dirt (=treat someone very badly): · I don't know what she sees in him - he treats her like dirt.treat somebody with respect/contempt/kindness etc: · Douglas was treated with much more respect after his promotion.treat somebody with kid gloves (=be very careful how you deal with someone so that they do not become upset, angry etc.): · After my nervous breakdown, everyone kept treating me with kid gloves.
British /toward American to behave in a particular way when you are with someone: · Sometimes he behaves very strangely towards me.
especially British to treat someone in a particular way in order to avoid problems and to get them to do what you want: · I knew I would have to be very careful how I handled Odette - she was so emotional.· Francis is a natural leader. He's very good at handling people.
to treat someone in a particular way, especially someone who has a problem or someone who has behaved very badly: · There's only one way to deal with naughty children and that's to be strict with them.· The police received training in how to deal with families of crime victims.· I try to deal with everyone in an honest, ethical way.
to deal with a problem or difficult situation to begin to deal with a problem in a determined way, especially a big or complicated problem: · Many schools are now trying to tackle the problem of drug abuse.· The new laws are aimed at tackling unemployment.tackle something head on (=deal with something in a direct and determined way): · Police forces in the area are trying to tackle car crime head on.
to deal with a problem or a difficult situation, especially in an effective or confident way: · There were a few problems, but nothing I couldn't handle.· A lot of people find it difficult to handle criticism.handle something well/badly: · The whole situation has been very badly handled.· It's her first year as a doctor, but she is handling the pressures of the job very well.
especially British to deal with small but difficult problems that are causing trouble or preventing you from doing something: · I spent the weekend sorting out my tax affairs.· We'll have to sort your immigration status out before we can offer you a job.sort yourself out (=deal with any personal problems you have): · I decided to take a week's holiday to try and sort myself out.
to try hard to deal with a difficult problem or situation, especially for a long time: · The authorities have been grappling with the problem for a decade, but cars still choke the streets in the rush hour.· There is no environmental policy in a country that is still grappling with increasing poverty.
to deal with a difficult situation or problem in a quick, confident, and determined way: · Helena decided to take the bull by the horns and organize the show herself.
to hold something and turn it around in your hands to hold something and turn it around in your hands, for example to examine it or use it: · Please do not handle the fruit and vegetables.· This violin is very old and valuable and must be handled carefully.
to hold something small and keep turning it around in your hands, especially because you are nervous or bored: · Martina was fiddling nervously with her pen.· Stop fiddling with the remote control!
to hold something in your hands and turn it around continuously for no reason: · She played with the red roses on the table as she talked.· Is it worth reading to our kids when they're busy playing with their hair or their teddy bears? Yes.
to hold something with your fingers or in your hand, trying to move it in some way, but doing it carelessly or with difficulty: · She could hear someone fumbling with the handle of her door.· I fumbled drunkenly with the keys, dropping them to the floor.· He stood before them, his eyes lowered, fumbling with his hat.
when a situation is so bad that you cannot stand it also can't bear especially British to be unable to accept an unpleasant situation: · Europeans never stay there for long. They can't stand the heat.· I can't bear the smell of stale cigarette smoke in her hair.can't stand/bear the thought of something: · She couldn't stand the thought of losing her children.can't stand/bear to do something/can't stand/bear doing something: · I couldn't bear to listen to her screams.
especially spoken to be unable to accept an unpleasant situation without becoming angry or upset, especially when someone's behaviour is not fair or reasonable: · Careful what you say - he can't take criticism.· She just keeps crying and throwing tantrums - I can't handle much more of it.can't take/handle something any more: · I just couldn't take it any more. I left the next day.
to be unable to stand something because thinking about it makes you feel sick or angry: · He really can't stomach the sight of blood.
formal to be completely unable to stand someone or something that is very annoying: · If there's one thing I cannot abide, it's spoilt children.· Mary couldn't abide shopping on Saturdays because the stores were always so crowded.
something that is unbearable , such as a pain or a bad situation, is too bad for you to deal with or live with: · Without him, my life would be unbearable.· The stench from the sink was almost unbearable.· The strain eventually became unbearable, and Adam started seeing a psychiatrist.
too difficult, unpleasant, or annoying to stand: · Living conditions at the camp were intolerable.· Passengers faced intolerable delays and disruption due to the bad weather conditions.· All the media attention during the trial had put the family under intolerable strain.
something that is unacceptable is wrong and cannot be accepted or allowed to continue: · Most women said they thought the ruling was unfair and unacceptable.· The plan was rejected because it involved an "unacceptable risk to public safety'.· We regard the idea of being able to choose the sex of your baby as wholly unacceptable.
to accept an unpleasant situation to accept an annoying situation or someone's annoying behaviour, without trying to stop it or change it: · I don't know how you put up with all this noise day after day.· You see what I have to put up with - the kids never stop arguing.· Well, you put up with the danger and bad conditions, because you need to feed your family.
to accept or be forced to accept an unpleasant situation: · Don't bring me your problems, I've already got as much trouble as I can stand.· There are cats in every room. I don't know how she can stand it.can stand doing something: · I don't think I'll be able to stand sharing an office with Dana.stand another hour/minute/moment etc: · Can you stand another minute of this awful music? Shall I turn it off?
to accept pain or an unpleasant situation that makes you angry, sad, or upset: · My leg really hurts -- I'm not sure how much longer I can bear it.· Talking to a counsellor can help divorcees to bear the pain of separation.· The trial was a great scandal but she bore it all with courage and dignity.be hard to bear: · Her loneliness was hard to bear, after her husband died.
to accept an annoying situation or someone's annoying behaviour, without trying to stop it or change it. Tolerate is more formal than put up with: · She seems to be able to tolerate any kind of behaviour from the students.· For years, the workers have had to tolerate low wages and terrible working conditions.· If you can tolerate the side-effects, HRT can help the symptoms enormously.
written to accept or be forced to accept a very unpleasant or difficult situation for a long time: · She endured a barrage of open abuse and racism during her time at college.· The people in this country have endured almost a decade of economic hardship.
informal to accept an unpleasant situation or someone's unpleasant behaviour without becoming upset: · I've tried to be understanding, but quite honestly, this is more than I can take.· Tell me what happened -- I can handle it.· Are you going to argue with me, or are you just going to stand there and take it?
to accept an unpleasant situation as a permanent part of your life that you cannot change: · You have to learn to live with stress.· I found the burden of guilt very difficult to live with.· None of us really like the new system, but we've got to learn to live with it.live with yourself (=accept something bad or wrong that you have done): · You should be careful before you do anything rash. Remember, you'll have to live with yourself afterwards.
to be difficult for you to accept: · Every year the Christmas shopping season seems to start earlier, a fact which many people find hard to stomach.· I found this lecture from Chris of all people hard to stomach.
spoken to accept an unpleasant or difficult situation as happily as you can, because you cannot change it: · Well, I said to myself, I'll just have to grin and bear it.· The message was clear - no matter how insulting passengers became, we couldn't do anything but grin and bear it.
WORD SETSafter-sales service, agro-industry, nounarcade, nounB2B exchange, nounB2C, adjectivebakery, nounbar code, nounbargain, nounbarrier to trade, nounbarrow, nounbazaar, nounbid, nounbid, verbbidding, nounbid-rigging, nounboard of directors, nounBOL, bonded factory, bookshop, nounbookstall, nounbookstore, nounbook token, nounboom, nounboom, verbboot sale, nounboutique, nounboxed, adjectivebreakdown clause, B/S, business agent, business interruption insurance, business liability insurance, buyback, nounbuyer, nounbuying power, C&F, callback, nouncarrying charge, cash and carry, nouncash basis, nouncash desk, nouncash discount, nouncash generation, cash price, cash register, nouncasualty insurance, CFI, CFR, chain store, nounchamber of trade, nouncheckout, nounCIF, CIP, clearance sale, nounclosed-door policy, nounComdex, nouncommercial agent, common ownership, comparative advantage, competitive advantage, competitive strategy, completion date, concessionaire, nounconsign, verbconsignee, nounconsignment, nounconsignor, nounconsolidator, nounconsumer, nounconsumer confidence, nounconsumerism, nounconsumer society, nouncontinuous improvement, conversion rate, corn exchange, nouncorporate investment, cost, nouncost price, nouncreative brief, credit, nouncredit account, nouncredit control, credit note, nouncreditor turnover rate, nouncredit terms, credit voucher, nouncustom, nouncustomer, nouncustomer capital, cutover, nouncut-price, adjectivedealership, noundebit account, declaration insurance, deliverable, noundelivery date, delivery receipt, deputy chairman, dime store, noundirect investment, disability insurance, discount, noundiscounting, noundispenser, noundistribute, verbdistributive, adjectivedocket, noundocumentary credit, domestic investment, draft terms, draper, noundrive-in, noundrive-in store, -driven, suffixdrop-shipping, nounDutch auction, nounearnings, nounEFQM Excellence Model, electronic point of sale, embargo, verbemporium, nounescalator clause, escape clause, executive chairman, expiration date, export, nounexport, verbexport credit, exporter, nounexport insurance, extended credit, external competitiveness, EXW, factory shop, fair dealing, financial investment, first-tier supplier, flat, adjectiveflea market, nounfleet terms, florist, nounfor-profit, adjectivefree market, nounfree port, nounfreight, nounfreight, verbfront end, nounfutures market, noungift certificate, noungift token, noungift-wrap, verbgiveaway, nounglut, noungoodwill, noungrandfather clause, greengrocer, noungross margin, noungross national product, noungross profit, nounguaranteed price, halo effect, handle, verbhandling charge, nounhigh street, nounhome product, hookup, nounHP, nounindent, nounindirect sale, industrial estate, nouninstallment plan, nouninstalment, nounInternet Service Provider, inventory, nouninvestment goods, invoice, nouninvoice, verbjob order, kanban system, layaway, nounleasing, nounliability insurance, license, verbline, nounlist price, nounlong-term credit, loss leader, nounlot, nounlumberyard, nounmail order, nounmarkdown, nounmarket, nounmarket-driven, adjectivemarket economy, nounmarket forces, nounmarketing, nounmarket leader, nounmarket-led, adjectivemarket price, nounmarket research, nounmarket value, nounmark-up, nounmedium-term credit, mercantile, adjectivemerchandise, nounmerchandiser, nounmerchant, nounMNC, MNE, move, verbmultiple, nounmultiple store, nounoff, adverboffer, nounoff-the-shelf, adjectiveo.n.o., open, adjectiveopen, verbopening hours, nounorder, nounorder, verbOTC, out, adverboutbid, verboutpost, nounoutsell, verboverbid, verboverbook, verboversubscribed, adjectiveovertrade, verbown brand, adjectiveown label, adjectivepackage, verbpackage deal, nounpackager, nounpackaging, nounpacket, nounparade, nounpart exchange, nounpass-along, nounpass-through, nounpeddle, verbpedlar, nounperformance guarantee, perfumery, nounpetty cash, nounpitch, nounplaza, nounpoint of sale, nounprice, nounprice, verbprice fixing, nounprice-fixing, nounprice list, nounprice tag, nounprice war, nounprivate company, private investment, problem child, nounproducer, nounproduction control, profit, nounprofit margin, nounpro forma invoice, nounpro-forma invoice, property and liability insurance, proprietary, adjectivepunter, nounpurchase, verbpurchase, nounpurveyor, nounpyramid selling, nounquotation, nounrake-off, nounready-to-wear, adjectivereal estate, nounreceipt, nounrefund, verbregular, nounrelaunch, nounremnant, nounrent, verbrent, nounrental, nounreorder, verbresell, verbreserve, nounretail, nounretail, verbretail, adverbretailer, nounretailing, nounretail park, nounrevolving credit, sale, nounsales channel, sales slip, nounsecond-tier supplier, secured credit, self-service, adjectivesell-by date, nounseller, nounseller's market, nounselling, nounselling price, nounserve, verbservice, nounservice agreement, service bureau, nounsettlement date, sex shop, nounshelf life, nounship, verbshopfitting, nounshopping centre, nounshopping mall, nounshopping precinct, nounshop-soiled, adjectiveshopworn, adjectiveshort-term credit, showcase, nounshowroom, nounshrink-wrapped, adjectivesister company, soft sell, nounsolicit, verbsouk, nounspecial, nounSRP, stand, nounstand-alone, adjectivestaple, nounstartup, nounstationer, nounstock, nounstockist, nounstockroom, nounstocktaking, nounstoppage in transit, nounstore brand, nounstorefront, nounstreet price, strip mall, nounstructural analysis, supermarket, nounsuperstore, nounsurcharge, nounsurcharge, verbtake-up, nountakings, nountelesales, nountender, verbthrift shop, nounthroughput, nounticket, nounticket, verbtill, nountout, verbtrade discount, nountrade fair, nountrade-in, nountrademark, nountradename, nountrade name, nountrade price, nountrader, nountrade route, nountrade secret, nountradesman, nountrading estate, nountrading post, nountraffic, nountrafficker, nountrigger point, uneconomic, adjectiveunit price, noununsecured credit, upfront fee, wares, nounwarranty, nounwholesale, nounwholesale, adjectivewholesaler, nounwinding up, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
The car handles well, even on wet roads. Bennet was charged with handling stolen goods.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Wilkinson found his opponent a little too hot to handle (=too difficult to deal with or beat). I want you to treat Hayley with kid gloves today. She’s still upset about her father. The jewelry can be yours for $15 plus shipping and handling. She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
The car handles well, even on wet roads. Bennet was charged with handling stolen goods.· Police officers came to the house to deal with a complaint about noise.
(=deal with one)· Can he handle the crisis in our prisons?
(=that you move up or down to open a door)· Ella reached for the door handle.
· Governments are judged on how well they manage the economy.
(=deal with and make decisions about an emergency)· There is always a doctor on call to handle emergencies.
Wilkinson found his opponent a little too hot to handle (=too difficult to deal with or beat).· The police were criticized for the way in which they handled the incident.
· Staff will be available to deal with inquiries.
I want you to treat Hayley with kid gloves today. She’s still upset about her father.· His hand reached down to the handle of his knife.
The jewelry can be yours for $15 plus shipping and handling. She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door.· They admired his ability to handle an awkward bill in a café or fix lodgings for the night.· With a goal to our life, our ability to bear and handle the discomfort and pain is also increased.· We will now review evidence on children's ability to handle explanations in each mode.· Accuracy and the ability to handle responsibility with limited supervision are important.· It's an alien situation and I question his ability to handle it.· He has the ability to handle heated situations better than others.· An ability to handle air-sensitive compounds, although not essential, would be an advantage.· To her, Roz was uncanny in her ability to perform. handle outrageous situations, do.
· It made her feel she had been incompetent in handling her affairs, and she didn't like that.· Growing familiarity with technology to access bank accounts and to handle financial affairs is boosting interest.· As Pietr's executor I've handled his affairs.· It is time that the black community handles its own affairs.· The defendants' articled clerk handled the wife's affairs and negotiated a financial settlement with the husband's solicitors.· In his last years, he had lived with his daughter Marian Brockamp, who handled his financial affairs.· Mr Theo Simpson, the senior partner, personally handled Miss Needham's affairs.· He told her how to handle their affairs and what to do with the kids.
· From a modest start five years ago when 30,000 tonnes were handled the business has grown to 400,000 tonnes perannum.· The ruling also set a firm precedent against deals reached among lawyers handling business lawsuits to keep court filings secret.· The agency companies will also be responsible for ensuring that syndicates are capable of handling the business they take on.· Many more people were hired to handle the new business, on starting salaries of forty-eight grand.· An extra 89 RoadRailer Mailvan trailers will be leased to handle the additional business, bringing the fleet to 166.· Seclusion is at hand a short train ride from Zurich, whose airport handles sleek business jets in nearly any weather.· Of course Ed was really peeved about how Martinez handled the whole Harley business.· With Simmons handling business matters, Rubin acted as talent scout -- and what talent he found!
· Yet such inferences need to be handled with care.· Like these elements, it should be handled with meticulous care.· Results must be handled with care.· They should be handled with care and give considerable variety in their diet.· They should be handled with care to minimise damage.· Similarly, changing dividend policy to yield more cash for investment needs to be handled with care.· Virginia liked to watch them when they were in a mood that required that they be handled with extreme care.
· The doctor who handled his case has since left.· In addition, Johnson was criticized recently for her handling in a separate case involving freshman Rep.· Seventy clergy in the Diocese publicly criticised the way it had handled the case.· Dan Mulligan, a San Francisco lawyer who specializes in handling lending and foreclosure cases, agreed that homeowners shared responsibility.· Such a rule would prevent solicitors handling the client's case from start to finish.· None the less, Stern has insisted that Nico has endeavoured to handle the case fairly.· Mr Deakin's solicitor alone is handling 400 other similar cases.· The lawyers who first handled the case were dead.
· Putin appears to have survived the political storm over his handling of the crisis, according to opinion polls.· If anything, he handled this crisis with more aplomb than the earlier one.· President Bush is being widely praised for his deft handling of the hostage crisis.
· Randhawa admitted obtaining by deception, burglary, handling stolen goods and making a threat to kill Miss Nazir.· In such cases no serious scholar was willing to risk his or her reputation by handling or studying stolen goods.· Randhawa handled the goods worth over £5,000 which were stolen.· Jacqueline MacPherson faced a charge of handling stolen goods.· At Teesside Crown Court yesterday, Francis, 36, admitted handling stolen goods.· They swallowed it and said they were charging me with handling stolen goods.· John Henry, 26, of Bexley Heath, will be sentenced later for handling stolen goods.
· It also illustrates that small as well as large organizations must decide how to handle the matrixing issue.· However, senior government figures say that Mr Mandelson's handling of the issue has damaged their faith in his political judgment.· My sister-in-law handles the allowance issue in such a way that her kids have learned to budget money.· Hayling went along to meet Anthony Everett, the director who would be handling the issue.· Respondents said the president is better able to handle a variety of issues.· Sometimes such advisers may act for companies to handle the securities issues needed to consummate another transaction, such as an acquisition.· Both companies have impressive tract records in handling AIDS-related issues in the workplace.
· Much would depend on Dulles's mission and how he handled the thorny matters confronting him.· Unless he thought there might be a mutually advantageous way to handle the matter between ourselves.· The manager is not available and the receptionist on duty has to handle the matter.· An administrative support team handled such matters as payroll, accounts payable, purchasing, and employment sourcing.· This research aims to find out how families handle these matters concerning inheritance of property in the circumstances of the 1990s.· Many widows are handling financial matters for the first time, she said.· Constable Coupland is the type of fellow you would want handling these matters.· However, he was not without experience in handling such matters.
· So, all things considered, I think I have done all right, handled my problem as well as it could have been handled.· One of the best and most practical approaches to handling this problem is the pretest.· In handling these problems, the executives use highly honed skills yet create consequences they do not intend.· There are, however, better and worse ways of handling human problems.· However, there are ways of dealing with stress, handling and overcoming problems.· This is precisely how they are handling the regional problem.· Now John wondered how to handle the problem.
· Lehman Brothers, the investment banking firm handling the sale, went to Harvester and objected on simple moral grounds.· Accountants Ernst & Young, which is handling the sale, said negotiations were at an advanced stage.· Porter's Lexington team handled the sales project, with decorator contributing her colour expertise.· Lehman Brothers Inc. is expected to handle the sale.· Artisoft will be handling the product's sales.
· Inevitably, the divorce had a bad effect on our relationship because I didn't know how to handle the situation.· Such learning is not automatic. 13 Succeeding or failing to handle a situation did not tell the new managers much.· The better way to handle the situation is to render the cats infertile without actually neutering them.· How will you handle this situation?· If you think your child may be abusing solvents, think carefully about how you are going to handle the situation.· As I climbed the stairs I wondered if I could handle the present situation calmly and tactfully even a bit subserviently.
· Only 29 % say they approve of the way it has been handled.· He handled it the same way I handle the pressure of being Junior.· At eleven thirty he was called into James Cadogan's office to talk about the best way to handle their latest commission.· Or the way an intense director handles a movie.· The everyday availability is changing the way legitimate gun owners handle their own firearms.· I believe that, under existing provisions, that is the only way to handle the matter.· Yes, that was the way to handle it.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- Linda called me back and apologized for flying off the handle.
- He just flew off the handle.
- If last night hadn't happened, would she still have flown off the handle, sooner or later ...?
- Lila flew off the handle and she realizes that.
- Some people always fly off the handle, and often their anger is totally out of proportion to the problem in hand.
- He threw a lever and the twin 1500-horsepower engines roared to life.
- The image of Chantal vanished instantly as though some one had thrown a switch.
WORD FAMILYnounhandlehandlerhandlingverbhandle
1do work [transitive] to do the things that are necessary to complete a job: I handled most of the paperwork. The case is being handled by a top lawyer. The finance department handles all the accounts. Computers can handle huge amounts of data.2deal with a situation [transitive] to deal with a situation or problem by behaving in a particular way and making particular decisions: The headmaster handled the situation very well. I knew I had handled the matter badly. Leave it to me. I can handle it. Most customers were satisfied with the way their complaints were handled. Opposition leaders will be watching carefully to see how the prime minister handles the crisis.► see thesaurus at deal3deal with a person [transitive] to deal with a person or behave towards them in a particular way, especially in order to keep them happy: Some customers are quite difficult to handle.4not become upset [transitive] to not become upset in a difficult situation: She can’t handle it when people criticize her. He doesn’t handle stress very well.5hold [transitive] to touch something or pick it up and hold it in your hands: He had never handled a weapon before. We teach the children to handle the animals gently. He was roughly handled by the mob.► see thesaurus at touch6control a vehicle a)[transitive] to control the movement of a vehicle or an animal: I didn’t know if I’d be able to handle such a large vehicle. b)[intransitive] the way a vehicle handles is how easy it is to controlhandles well/badly The car handles well, even on wet roads.7move goods [transitive] to move goods from one place to another: The Post Office handles nearly 2 billion letters and parcels over the Christmas period.8buy/sell goods [transitive] to buy or sell goods: Bennet was charged with handling stolen goods.handle1 verbhandle2 noun
handlehandle2 ●●● S1 W3 noun [countable] WORD ORIGINhandle2
Origin:
Old EnglishEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a knife with an ivory handle
- I take the box, and hold it proudly by its string handle.
- In front of Twoflower, at chest height, was a small handle shaped like a brass dragon.
- Many silver pap boats were converted into cream boats by adding a handle and feet.
- Sensing trouble, I let go of the handles of my new barrow and ran into the crowd.
- She went over and tried one of the handles, but the cabinet was locked.
- The Blue Fog features large patches of rust, an oil leak, a loose handle and a temperamental pull cord.
- Then she was twisting the handle and discovering Oliver was not home.
WORD SETS
AC, accessory, nounadapter, nounaerosol, nounalarm, nounarm, nounash, nounattaché case, nounbag, nounbar, nounbarrel, nounbeep, verbbeeswax, nounbell, nounbelly, nounbelt, nounbench, nounbenzine, nounbinding, nounbiro, nounbolt, nounbooth, nounbox, nounbox, verbbrad, nounbriefcase, nounbristle, nounbrolly, nounbrush, nounbucket, nounbuckle, nounbuffer, nounbulb, nounBulldog clip, nounbulletin board, nounbullhorn, nounbung, nounbunting, nounbusiness card, nounbutt, nounbutton, nounbuzzer, nouncable, nouncalling card, nouncan, nouncandle, nouncane, nouncarbon, nouncarbon copy, nouncarbon paper, nouncard, nouncardboard, nouncardboard, adjectivecardboard cut-out, nouncard catalog, nouncarrier, nouncarrier bag, nouncarryall, nouncart, nouncarton, nouncartridge, nouncase, nouncaster, nouncatch, nounCellophane, nouncesspit, nounchain, nounchalice, nounchannel, nounchart, nounchute, nouncitronella, nounclamp, nouncleat, nounclip, nounclipboard, nouncomb, nouncombination lock, nouncompartment, nouncord, nouncrank, nouncrate, nouncrepe paper, nouncycle, noundetector, noundial, noundigital, adjectivedisposable, adjectivedrape, verbdrawing pin, noundryer, noundurable goods, nounDurex, nounearplug, nounelastic band, nouneraser, nouneyelet, nounfabric, nounfelt-tip pen, nounfemale, adjectivefence, nounfiberglass, nounfibreglass, nounfigurine, nounfilament, nounfile, verbFilofax, nounfire extinguisher, nounfirewood, nounfitness, nounflag, nounflagon, nounflagstaff, nounflashlight, nounflat, adjectivefloodlight, nounfoam, nounfoam, verbfog, verbfolder, nounfoolscap, nounforecourt, nounfountain, nounfountain pen, nounframe, nounfunnel, nounfuse, noungadget, noungadgetry, noungargle, verbgas, nounglue, noungoggles, noungold card, noungranny knot, noungravel, noungravelled, adjectivegravelly, adjectivegrease, noungreetings card, noungrommet, noungum, noungun, noungunnysack, noungut, nounhand-held, adjectivehandle, nounhandloom, nounharness, nounhasp, nounhealth, nounhessian, nounhinge, nounhip, nounhoarding, nounhoist, nounholder, nounhook, nounhoop, nounhooter, nounhose, nounhosepipe, nounhub, nounhygiene, nounhygienic, adjectiveillness, nounindented, adjectiveinflatable, adjectiveingrained, adjectiveink, nouninn, nouninnkeeper, nouninsoluble, adjectiveivory, nounjacket, nounjack-knife, nounjoss stick, nounjuggle, verbkey, nounkeypad, nounkey ring, nounKleenex, nounknife, nounknob, nounlabel, nounladder, nounlantern, nounlatch, nounlatchkey, nounlather, nounlather, verbLCD, nounlead, nounlectern, nounlegal pad, nounlens, nounletterbox, nounlever, nounlibrary, nounlid, nounlidded, adjectivelift, nounlight, nounlight bulb, nounlink, nounlinseed oil, nounlitter bin, nounlock, nounlodestone, nounlog, nounloop, verblost property, nounmagnet, nounmagnetic, adjectivemagnifying glass, nounmale, adjectivemantle, nounmanual, adjectivemarker, nounmarker pen, nounmarket day, nounmast, nounmastic, nounmatchstick, nounmaterial, nounmeter, nounmeths, nounmode, nounmortar, nounmortise lock, nounmould, nounmounting, nounmovement, nounnail, nounnameplate, nounnet, nounnib, nounnipple, nounnon-standard, adjectivenoose, nounnotebook, nounnotepad, nounnoticeboard, nounnozzle, nounnut, nounoil, verboilcan, nounoily, adjectiveorb, nounoutfit, nounoutlet, nounovernight, adverbpack, verbpackage, nounpad, nounpad, verbpadlock, nounpaintwork, nounpantyliner, nounpaper, nounpaperclip, nounpasserby, nounpaste, verbpasteboard, nounpatron, nounpatronage, nounpatronize, verbpattern, nounpaving, nounpearl, nounpen, nounpenknife, nounpicket fence, nounpillbox, nounpince-nez, nounpinhead, nounpipe, nounpix, nounpizza parlor, nounplug, nounpocket, nounpocketbook, nounpocket calculator, nounpocket knife, nounpointer, nounpoison, nounpole, nounportfolio, nounPost-it, nounpowder, nounpowdered, adjectivepropellant, nounpropelling pencil, nounpump-action, adjectivePX, nounquarter, verbrack, nounreceptionist, nounreel, nounrefill, nounreflector, nounrefrigerate, verbregimen, nounreservation, nounreserve, verbsachet, nounsack, nounscratchpad, nounscratch paper, nounscreen, nounsealant, nounsealer, nounsearchlight, nounseason ticket, nounseat, nounself-assembly, adjectiveseptic tank, nounservice, nounservice, verbsetting, nounshade, nounsharpener, nounshovel, nounshovel, verbshovelful, nounsilver paper, nounsiphon, nounslat, nounslice, verbslot machine, nounslug, nounsmoke, nounsoot, nounsort, nounspare part, nounspigot, nounsponge, nounspool, nounspout, nounspray, nounspray can, nounspray paint, nounspring, nounstaff, nounstake, nounstalk, nounstandard, nounstaple, nounstapler, nounstationery, nounsteam, nounsteam clean, verbsteel, nounsteel wool, nounstepladder, nounstick, verbstick, nounsticker, nounstilt, nounstopper, nounstorm lantern, nounstrap, nounstreamer, nounstring, nounstub, nounsucker, nounSuperglue, nounswipe, verbswitch, nounswivel, nountab, nountack, nountag, nountag, verbtank, nountap, nountape, nountassel, nountattle, verbtea break, nounthong, nounthread, nountime-saving, adjectivetinder, nountinderbox, nountissue, nountop, nountote bag, nountowel, verbtray, nountrolley, nountube, nountubing, nountwine, nountwo-way mirror, nounumbrella, nounvent, nounvial, nounwaiting room, nounwasher, nounwaste paper, nounwatch, nounwaterspout, nounwheeled, adjectivewhistle, verbwooden, adjectivewriting paper, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Wilkinson found his opponent a little too hot to handle (=too difficult to deal with or beat). I want you to treat Hayley with kid gloves today. She’s still upset about her father. The jewelry can be yours for $15 plus shipping and handling. She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· Police officers came to the house to deal with a complaint about noise.
(=deal with one)· Can he handle the crisis in our prisons?
(=that you move up or down to open a door)· Ella reached for the door handle.
· Governments are judged on how well they manage the economy.
(=deal with and make decisions about an emergency)· There is always a doctor on call to handle emergencies.
Wilkinson found his opponent a little too hot to handle (=too difficult to deal with or beat).· The police were criticized for the way in which they handled the incident.
· Staff will be available to deal with inquiries.
I want you to treat Hayley with kid gloves today. She’s still upset about her father.· His hand reached down to the handle of his knife.
The jewelry can be yours for $15 plus shipping and handling. She gently turned the handle of the bedroom door.· I stroked the long handle of the trowel, wondering if my father had a name for that stick of his.· Eating lost its appeal when bowels could no longer handle waste easily.· The drill itself is a different shape to most models, having a long slender handle and snub-nosed body.· The clothes were agitated by hand, using a wooden dolly, which had four short legs and a long handle.· The so-called Executioner's Axe was really a woodman's axe on a long handle.· It also has a comfortable 5.5 inch long plastic handle.· With a long broom handle, a kitchen fork fixed on its end, they spike away the loose, dry divots.
· The knife in Dennis's paw was sharp and serrated, with a sturdy wooden handle.· Explanation Put the hammer down on the table with the wooden handle touching the edge.· In his right hand he's holding a curved knife with a short wooden handle.· Now move the wooden handle of the hammer gradually over the edge of the table.· Bob Grant Fixing handles Q Could you please tell me the best method of fixing turned wooden handles to cutlery blanks?
NOUN· Dowels and broom handles are useful.· Pushing a broom handle up the tube will allow you to push the plunger up to this moulded shoulder and into the tube.· With a long broom handle, a kitchen fork fixed on its end, they spike away the loose, dry divots.· A hushed audience watched her spread her legs, and present the broom handle to her open crotch.
· A couple of minutes later she heard the chair that had wedged the door handle shut being moved.· His head bobbed like some leftover party balloon Lois had tied to the door handle.· She seized hold of the door handle and tried to open it.· I told him to shut up and I seized the door handle and gave it a good tug.· The door handles were red hot.· The door handles fell out of their doors when guests turned them to enter their rooms.· No wonder she hadn't been able to find the door handle.· However, investigators said they are concerned with numerous reports of the door handle jamming.
· Pic 14: Segmented folding knife handle, value £30.00.· The knife handle was found in Colchester and may have been used by a legionary.· The knife - the crucial prop here - is visually represented by a fist clenched as though round the knife handle.· Pic 18: Top Celtic bronze knife handle, value £120.· The female figure on the knife handle appears to resemble Aphrodite or Venus, the goddess of love.
VERB· If last night hadn't happened, would she still have flown off the handle, sooner or later ...?· He just flew off the handle.· Some people always fly off the handle, and often their anger is totally out of proportion to the problem in hand.· Lila flew off the handle and she realizes that.
· Absorption and diffraction could help industrial researchers get a better handle on the materials they use.· From these activities they really get a handle on where I want them to go.· It was just as he got the handle about half way that I noticed Mr McCrindle had joined us.· Daily at five or six a. m. Mr Sammler woke up in Manhattan and tried to get a handle on the situation.· See, I can't even get a proper handle on their mythology.· You figure you've got a handle on all but the most aberrant human behaviour.· This seems difficult to get an up-to-date handle on.· Sun had difficulty getting a handle on the actual yield situation because week-to-week data on the silicon lots varied, Gadre said.
· The man grabbed the inside handle with his free hand and began to shake the windows.· I grabbed the door handle, pulled the door open against the force of the wind, and ran up the stairs.· He stumbled toward it, grabbed at the handle, and pulled the door toward him.
· He grasped the shaky handle of the office door, and cursed.· You grasp the handle, and can feel the coolness of it in your hand.· She crossed the room in a few quick strides, grasped the handle of the door set in the wall and pulled.· You open the lid by grasping a handle shaped like a burned match.· With one hand he grasped the string handle of the carrier-bag with the Union Jack on it.· You reach out and grasp the handle.· She grasped the heavy iron handle and turned it cautiously.· He grasped the handle of the door in one hand, and that of the spoon in the other.
· Nine-stone Deirdre, 39, halted the driverless car by pulling on the door handle.· In theory you pull a handle with operates an air bottle which blows the wheels down.· As I shut the car door, Lucker is there pulling on the handle.· He grabbed it and tugged, pulling the handle from Luke's hand.
· She tried the handle and found it was not locked.· He knocked twice on the office door then tried the handle.· Making sure that he was not visible from the house, he tried the brown bakelite handle.· Daily at five or six a. m. Mr Sammler woke up in Manhattan and tried to get a handle on the situation.· I tried each handle in turn.· Colin Campbell strode through the lengthening shadows, pausing now and then to try a door handle before moving on.· Faded gold lettering told him this wasn't the one he was looking for, but he tried the handle anyway.· She tried the handle but the door had obviously been bolted from the inside.
· Would that thing out there still know how to simply turn a handle?· She added some chicory to the coffee beans and turned the handle quickly.· He climbed into the bucket and Endill started to turn the handle.· It took a minute to turn the handle 60 times and fully coil the spring.· As he turned the door handle to enter the building he saw a storm-trooper come out of one of the side rooms.· I turn a rusty handle in the part of my brain that handles mental arithmetic.· He turned a brass handle above the sink and hot water came out.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
- At least they have a handle on what caused the power failure.
- Daily at five or six a. m. Mr Sammler woke up in Manhattan and tried to get a handle on the situation.
- From these activities they really get a handle on where I want them to go.
- Sun had difficulty getting a handle on the actual yield situation because week-to-week data on the silicon lots varied, Gadre said.
- You figure you've got a handle on all but the most aberrant human behaviour.
- Linda called me back and apologized for flying off the handle.
- He just flew off the handle.
- If last night hadn't happened, would she still have flown off the handle, sooner or later ...?
- Lila flew off the handle and she realizes that.
- Some people always fly off the handle, and often their anger is totally out of proportion to the problem in hand.
- He threw a lever and the twin 1500-horsepower engines roared to life.
- The image of Chantal vanished instantly as though some one had thrown a switch.
WORD FAMILYnounhandlehandlerhandlingverbhandle
1
the part of a door that you use for opening it: Then he turned the handle and went in.2the part of an object that you use for holding it: a knife with a carved wooden handle the handle of his cup a broom handle3get a handle on something to start to understand a situation, subject etc: It’s difficult to get a handle on how widespread this problem is. → fly off the handle at fly1(16)