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to cope

to cope

272 2.9
To deal with problems and difficult situations
  • verb
  • /koʊp/
translation icon : arreglárselas
  • James, do you think you can cope with the pressure?
  • cope with stress
  • ability to cope
  • help people cope

You just learn how to cope or ignore the voices.

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Examples

  • It's my hope that this content will help you cope and heal.

  • A wave of dizziness swept through her as her body struggled to cope with the sudden movement.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Some people are unable to cope, get out of bed, sometimes even.

  • What a lot of women are being taught is how to cope, how to manage.

  • We let go and we're certainly more able to cope after the break.

  • I'm trying to do my best to cope with something that happened.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • And this is a way for them to cope with the way they're feeling.

  • I've been working on a new technique that might help you cope more effectively with stress.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Ainsley's mom got the dolls to help her cope after her son died.

  • When times are tough, it is important to find ways to cope with stress and anxiety.

Synonyms

to manage
vsto cope
3.2

To do something difficult, often with little help

focuses on getting through hard situations rather than full success
to live with
vsto cope
563 3.9

To accept something unpleasant that you cannot change

involves actively managing outcomes or achieving despite limited resources
to survive
vsto cope
425 2.7

Manage to live on very little money

is about getting things done under limits, not only basic living
to make it
vsto cope
  • Informal
311 3.4

To survive after danger or a serious problem

is the ongoing ability to manage tasks under limited resources rather than final survival
to endure
vsto cope
304 3.5

To deal with something difficult for a long time without giving up

is more active, about achieving or completing tasks under hardship
to cope with
vsto cope
150 2.9

Manage a difficult problem, situation or strong feeling

emphasizes managing outcomes under limits rather than just effective dealing
to get by
vsto cope
121 3.1

Manage to live with little money or help

focuses more on achieving tasks despite hardship rather than mere survival
to pull through
vsto cope
53 3.9

To survive a serious illness or danger, often with help from others, and start to get better

focuses on managing and achieving despite limits, not only medical recovery
to make do
vsto cope
49 3.7

Use what you have even if it is not enough

is about overall achievement under difficulty, not only resource compromise
to make out
vsto cope
  • Informal
20 3.7

To manage or get by during a difficult time

leans more toward surviving under limits rather than necessarily succeeding
to weather the storm
vsto cope
  • Informal
11 5.2

To survive a difficult time by dealing with problems

is about handling tasks or goals during hardship rather than weathering periods
to keep head above water
vsto cope
  • Informal
8 4.7

To avoid serious money problems during hard times

covers managing tasks under limits beyond just financial survival
3 3.2

To deal with a problem or difficult event well

is broader, covering overall survival or coping under constraints

Do well when you feel pressure

is wider, covering general survival and managing beyond performance moments

To deal with difficult situations calmly and successfully

stresses basic survival under limits rather than careful planning
4.9

To manage to survive when you have money problems

is broader, including achieving goals under scarce resources
7.0

Manage to get through a difficult situation

focuses more on day to day achieving than on surviving a period

Antonyms

898 1.0

Not succeed in doing something you wanted to do

851 2.8

To try very hard to do or deal with something difficult

Phrasal Verbs

150 2.9

Manage a difficult problem, situation or strong feeling

How Well

to thrive
241 3.2
to cope
272 2.9
to get by
121 3.1
struggle
466 3.2

Surface Forms

cope infinitive
coped past
coped past participle
coping present participle
copes third person singular

Etymology

The verb cope meaning 'to manage' comes from an old French verb coper that meant 'to meet' or 'to strike', so imagine meeting a problem and handling it. That's why to cope is to deal with difficulties or to get by.