handle

noun countable

UK /ˈhænd(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	handle
plural	handles

1
the part of a door or window that you use for opening it
She turned the handle and pushed the door open.
Synonyms and related words
Parts of doors and windows
arch
cat flap
door
1. 1a
  the part of an object that you hold in your hand when you use it
  knives with plastic handles
  Synonyms and related words
  The outer parts of objects or spaces
  apex
  back
  back end
2
very informalsomeone’s name
Synonyms and related words
General words for names, and types of name
aka
alias
alias
3
keep a handle on something
to control something
It’s wise to keep a handle on your emotions at work.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 23/06/2017
Open Dictionary - June2017

phrases

have/get a handle on something

handle

noun countable

US /ˈhænd(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	handle
plural	handles

1
the part of a door or window that you use for opening it
She turned the handle and pushed the door open.
Synonyms and related words
Parts of doors and windows
arch
cat flap
door
1. 1a
  the part of an object that you hold in your hand when you use it
  knives with plastic handles
  Synonyms and related words
  The outer parts of objects or spaces
  apex
  back
  back end
2
very informalsomeone’s name
Synonyms and related words
General words for names, and types of name
aka
alias
alias
3
keep a handle on something
to control something
It’s wise to keep a handle on your emotions at work.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 23/06/2017
Open Dictionary - June2017

phrases

have/get a handle on something

handle

verb

UK /ˈhænd(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	handle
he/she/it	handles
present participle	handling
past tense	handled
past participle	handled

1
transitive to take action in order to deal with a difficult situation
The government was criticized for the way it handled the crisis.
handle something well:
Congratulations! You handled that really well.
badly/poorly handled:
We felt that the dispute was badly handled.
Synonyms and related words
To try to deal with a problem or difficulty
deal with
tackle
combat
1. 1a
  to be responsible for doing a particular job or piece of work
  Inspector Dawkin will be handling this case.
  Publicity is being handled by an outside agency.
  Synonyms and related words
  To take charge, or to try to take charge
  take charge (of)
  see to
  handle
  Synonyms and related words
  To be responsible for something
  answer for
  accept
  carry
2. 1b
  to be able to deal successfully with a large amount of work or information
  The newer computers can handle massive amounts of data.
  The helpline handles 100 calls an hour.
  Synonyms and related words
  To try to deal with a problem or difficulty
  deal with
  tackle
  combat
3. 1c
  to deal with the people or goods that pass through an airport, port, or other centre
  The depot handles over two million tonnes of freight a week.
  Synonyms and related words
  Cargo and freight transportation
  bill of entry
  bill of lading
  cargo
4. 1d
  to deal successfully with a person who is likely to become angry or upset
  All the staff are trained to handle difficult customers.
  Synonyms and related words
  To successfully deal with a problem or difficulty
  cope
  overcome
  carry off
2
transitive to touch or hold someone or something
handle something with care:
All chemicals must be handled with care.
handle someone roughly:
Some prisoners complained that they’d been roughly handled.
Synonyms and related words
To hold something or someone
carry
hold on
hang on
Synonyms and related words
To touch, or to pick up someone or something
touch
pick up
handle
3
transitive to control an animal or a vehicle using your hands
She handled the horse very confidently.
Synonyms and related words
To limit or control something or someone
draw a line in the sand
limit
control
1. 3a
  intransitive if a vehicle handles well or badly, it is easy or difficult to control
  Synonyms and related words
  To drive, or to operate a vehicle
  back up
  belt up
  be on someone’s tail
4
transitive to buy and sell goods, especially illegally
handle stolen goods:
He denied burglary but admitted handling stolen goods.
Synonyms and related words
To buy and sell things
deal in
trade
barter
Synonyms and related words
To commit a specific crime
abduct
abet
aid and abet

phrases

someone cannot handle something

handle

verb

US /ˈhænd(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	handle
he/she/it	handles
present participle	handling
past tense	handled
past participle	handled

1
transitive to take action in order to deal with a difficult situation
The government was criticized for the way it handled the crisis.
handle something well:
Congratulations! You handled that really well.
badly/poorly handled:
We felt that the dispute was badly handled.
Synonyms and related words
To try to deal with a problem or difficulty
man up
kick something into the long grass
deal with
1. 1a
  to be responsible for doing a particular job or piece of work
  Detective Dawkin will be handling this case.
  Publicity is being handled by an outside agency.
  Synonyms and related words
  To take charge, or to try to take charge
  take charge (of)
  see to
  handle
  Synonyms and related words
  To be responsible for something
  answer for
  accept
  carry
2. 1b
  to be able to deal successfully with a large amount of work or information
  The newer computers can handle massive amounts of data.
  The helpline handles 100 calls an hour.
  Synonyms and related words
  To try to deal with a problem or difficulty
  man up
  kick something into the long grass
  deal with
3. 1c
  to deal with the people or goods that pass through an airport, port, or other center
  The depot handles over two million tons of freight a week.
  Synonyms and related words
  Cargo and freight transportation
  bill of entry
  bill of lading
  cargo
4. 1d
  to deal successfully with a person who is likely to become angry or upset
  Flight attendants are trained to handle difficult passengers.
  Synonyms and related words
  To successfully deal with a problem or difficulty
  cope
  overcome
  carry off
2
transitive to touch or hold someone or something
handle something with care:
All chemicals must be handled with care.
handle someone roughly:
Some prisoners complained that they’d been roughly handled.
Synonyms and related words
To hold something or someone
hold on
carry
hang on
Synonyms and related words
To touch, or to pick up someone or something
touch
pick up
handle
3
transitive to buy and sell goods, especially illegally
handle stolen goods:
He denied burglary but admitted handling stolen goods.
Synonyms and related words
To buy and sell things
deal in
trade
barter
Synonyms and related words
To commit a specific crime
abduct
abet
aid and abet
4
transitive to control an animal or a vehicle using your hands
She handled the horse very confidently.
Synonyms and related words
To limit or control something or someone
draw a line in the sand
limit
control
1. 4a
  intransitive if a vehicle handles well or badly, it is easy or difficult to control
  Synonyms and related words
  To drive, or to operate a vehicle
  back up
  block in
  box in

phrases

someone cannot handle something

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keep a handle on something

handle ​‌‌

keep a handle on something

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handle ​‌‌‌

handle

handle

handle

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