Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense handles, present participle handling, past tense, past participle handled
1. countable noun
A handle is a small round object or a lever that is attached to a door and is used for opening and closing it.
I turned the handle and found the door was open.
2. countable noun
A handle is the part of an object such as a tool, bag, or cup that you hold in order to be able to pick up and use the object.
The handle of a cricket bat protruded from under his arm. [+ of]
...a broom handle.
Synonyms: grip, knob, hilt, haft More Synonyms of handle
3. verb
If you say that someone can handle a problem or situation, you mean that they have the ability to deal with it successfully.
To tell the truth, I don't know if I can handle the job. [VERB noun]
She cannot handle pressure. [VERB noun]
You must learn how to handle your feelings. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: manage, deal with, tackle, cope with More Synonyms of handle
4. verb
If you talk about the way that someone handles a problem or situation, you mention whether or not they are successful in achieving the result they want.
I think I would handle a meeting with Mr. Siegel very badly. [VERB noun adverb]
She admitted to herself she didn't know how to handle the problem. [VERB noun adverb]
handlinguncountable noun
The family has criticized the military's handling of Robert's death. [+ of]
Synonyms: management, running, treatment, approach More Synonyms of handle
5. verb
If you handle a particular area of work, you have responsibility for it.
She handled travel arrangements for the press corps during the presidential campaign. [VERB noun]
The investigation is being handled by Scotland Yard's anti terrorist branch. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: deal with, manage, take care of, administer More Synonyms of handle
6. verb
When you handle something such as a weapon, vehicle, or animal, you use it or control it, especially by using your hands.
I had never handled an automatic. [VERB noun]
7. verb
If something such as a vehicle handles well, it is easy to use or control.
His ship had handled like a dream! [VERB adverb/preposition]
8. verb
When you handle something, you hold it or move it with your hands.
Wear rubber gloves when handling cat litter. [VERB noun]
9. singular noun
If you have ahandleon a subject or problem, you have a way of approaching it that helps you to understand it or deal with it.
[informal]
When you have got a handle on your anxiety you can begin to control it.
10.
See to fly off the handle
More Synonyms of handle
handle in British English
(ˈhændəl)
noun
1.
the part of a utensil, drawer, etc, designed to be held in order to move, use, or pick up the object
2. New Zealand
a glass beer mug with a handle
3. slang
a person's name or title
4. a CB radio slang name for call sign
5.
an opportunity, reason, or excuse for doing something
his background served as a handle for their mockery
6.
the quality, as of textiles, perceived by touching or feeling
7.
the total amount of a bet on a horse race or similar event
8. fly off the handle
verb(mainly tr)
9.
to pick up and hold, move, or touch with the hands
10.
to operate or employ using the hands
the boy handled the reins well
11.
to have power or control over
my wife handles my investments
12.
to manage successfully
a secretary must be able to handle clients
13.
to discuss (a theme, subject, etc)
14.
to deal with or treat in a specified way
I was handled with great tact
15.
to trade or deal in (specified merchandise)
16. (intransitive)
to react or respond in a specified way to operation or control
the car handles well on bends
Derived forms
handleable (ˈhandleable)
adjective
handled (ˈhandled)
adjective
handleless (ˈhandleless)
adjective
Word origin
Old English; related to Old Saxon handlon (vb), Old High German hantilla towel
handle in American English
(ˈhændəl)
noun
1.
that part of a utensil, tool, etc. which is to be held, turned, lifted, pulled, etc. with the hand
2.
a thing like a handle in appearance or use
3.
the total amount of money bet over a specified period of time, as at a racetrack
4. US, Informal
a person's name, nickname, or title
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈhandled or ˈhandling
5.
to touch, lift, etc. with the hand or hands
6.
to manage, operate, or use with the hand or hands; manipulate
7.
to manage, control, direct, train, etc.
8.
a.
to deal with or treat in a particular way
to handle a problem tactfully
b.
to deal with successfully or appropriately
c. Informal
to come to terms with psychologically
he can't handle it
9. US
to sell or deal in (a certain commodity)
10.
to behave toward; treat
verb intransitive
11.
to respond or submit to control
the car handles well
Idioms:
fly off the handle
get a handle on
SYNONYMY NOTE: handle implies the possession of sufficient (or a specified degree of) skill in managingor operating with or as with the hands [to handle a tool or a problem]; manipulate suggests skill, dexterity, or craftiness in handling [to manipulate a machine or an account]; wield implies skill and control in handling effectively [to wield an ax, to wield influence]; ply1 suggests great diligence in operating [to ply an oar, to ply one's trade]
Word origin
ME handil < OE handle (akin to Du handel) < hand, hand
More idioms containing
handle
fly off the handle
too hot to handle
Examples of 'handle' in a sentence
handle
She told the person she spoke to that her front door handle was loose.
The Sun (2016)
You handle people so well and fractured friendships can be repaired.
The Sun (2016)
The way they handled the game they have to understand.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
What would have been the best way to handle the situation?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Any alterations to the roof must be sensitively handled.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
She initially thought she was buying two new door handles.
The Sun (2016)
Was it a bat handle that slipped?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The sunken door handles are needlessly fiddly too.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Then he peered at the name on the handle.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The person who handled the call thought it was a prank and did not pursue it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The broom handles were also scrubbed and stood out in the yard to dry.
Max Arthur Lost Voices of the Edwardians: 19011910 in the words of the Men & Women Who WereThere (2006)
You handle people well and can stay strong when cash deals are done.
The Sun (2009)
You loop one end of a strap through the handle of your bag and let it dangle.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Thus the herbs must be carefully handled at all stages.
Stickland, Sue Planning the Organic Herb Garden (1986)
Instead direct them to a contact person who understands how to handle media requests.
Christianity Today (2000)
You wonder idly why certain scenes are handled a certain way.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The realistic way you handle a cash situation wins a lot of respect.
The Sun (2007)
Felt nice to hold a rubbery handle.
The Sun (2007)
We have no handle on the subject.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
There is no risk of rabies if you do not handle bats.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Is he the right man to handle the big names at the club?
The Sun (2013)
Can she handle a car as well as she handles a curling broom?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Most banks have an account switching team that will handle the move for you.
The Sun (2012)
The way in which each sales manager handles the stresses and responsibilities of the job varies tremendously with experience and personality.
Hopkins, Tom The Guide to Greatness in Sales (1994)
They were brandishing pick handles.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
In other languages
handle
British English: handle /ˈhændl/ NOUN
tool, bag A handle is the part of something, for example a tool or a bag, that you use to hold it.
Hold the knife by its handle.
American English: handle
Arabic: مِقْبَض
Brazilian Portuguese: cabo
Chinese: 手柄
Croatian: drška
Czech: rukojeť
Danish: håndtag
Dutch: hendel
European Spanish: asa
Finnish: kädensija
French: poignée
German: Griff
Greek: χειρολαβή
Italian: manico
Japanese: ハンドル 取っ手
Korean: 손잡이
Norwegian: håndtak
Polish: uchwyt
European Portuguese: pega
Romanian: mâner
Russian: ручка рукоятка
Latin American Spanish: asa
Swedish: handtag
Thai: ด้าม
Turkish: kol
Ukrainian: ручка
Vietnamese: tay cầm
British English: handle /ˈhændl/ VERB
If you handle a situation, you deal with it.
I don't know if I can handle the job.
American English: handle
Arabic: يُعَالِجُ
Brazilian Portuguese: enfrentar
Chinese: 处理
Croatian: nositi se s
Czech: zvládnout situaci
Danish: håndtere
Dutch: omgaan met
European Spanish: manejar
Finnish: käsitellä
French: manier
German: handhaben
Greek: χειρίζομαι
Italian: occuparsi
Japanese: 取り扱う
Korean: 다루다
Norwegian: håndtere
Polish: poradzić sobie
European Portuguese: lidar
Romanian: a mânui
Russian: овладеть
Latin American Spanish: manejar
Swedish: hantera
Thai: จัดการ
Turkish: elle yapmak
Ukrainian: керувати
Vietnamese: kiểm soát
British English: handle /ˈhændl/ NOUN
knob A handle is something that is joined to a door, a window, or a drawer, that you use to open and close it.
She pulled the handle of the drawer.
American English: handle
Arabic: مِقْبَض
Brazilian Portuguese: puxador
Chinese: 把手
Croatian: ručka
Czech: klikadveří
Danish: håndtag
Dutch: handgreep
European Spanish: tirador
Finnish: kahva
French: poignée
German: Griff
Greek: χερούλι
Italian: maniglia
Japanese: 取っ手
Korean: 손잡이
Norwegian: håndtak
Polish: rączka
European Portuguese: maçaneta
Romanian: mâner
Russian: ручка
Latin American Spanish: manilla
Swedish: handtag
Thai: ที่จับ
Turkish: kol
Ukrainian: ручка
Vietnamese: tay cầm
All related terms of 'handle'
door handle
the handle that you turn or push to open a door
grab handle
A grab handle is a handle on the side of an object such as a bathtub that you hold in order to help you get in and out.
crank handle
a device for communicating motion or for converting reciprocating motion into rotary motion or vice versa. It consists of an arm projecting from a shaft , often with a second member attached to it parallel to the shaft
handle conflict
Conflict is serious disagreement and argument about something important. If two people or groups are in conflict , they have had a serious disagreement or argument and have not yet reached agreement .
starting handle
a crank handle used to start an engine
handle a case
In law, a case is a trial or other legal inquiry .
handle a task
A task is an activity or piece of work which you have to do, usually as part of a larger project.
dead man's handle
a safety switch on a piece of machinery , such as a train, that allows operation only while depressed by the operator
get a handle on
to find a means of dealing with, understanding , etc.
handle a complaint
A complaint is a statement in which you express your dissatisfaction with a particular situation.
handle a crisis
A crisis is a situation in which something or someone is affected by one or more very serious problems.
handle an issue
An issue is an important subject that people are arguing about or discussing .
fly off the handle
to suddenly become very angry about something and behave in an uncontrolled and irrational way
too hot to handle
if someone or something is too hot to handle , you mean that they are so dangerous , difficult , or extreme that people do not want to be involved with them
handle with kid gloves
to treat with extreme care
to fly off the handle
If you fly off the handle , you suddenly and completely lose your temper .
to handle sb with kid gloves
to treat someone with great tact or caution
crank
If you call someone a crank , you think their ideas or behaviour are strange .