🛠️ To manage 🤲 To touch or hold ☕ A part to hold 🐕 To train an animal 💻 A username 🗣️ To discuss

to handle

41 2.8

Talk about a subject in speech, writing, or art

verb
/ˈhændl/

: tratar

In her report, she handled the topic of climate change with great sensitivity.
handle issues
handle controversial issues
ways to handle

You'd be mad enough to handle that conversation.

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Examples

But I mean, I think some people handle it remarkably.
You've, you've changed the way people handle their problems.
How would she suggest people handle that themselves?
And I wrote down how I wanted to handle this process.
How did you decide to then handle, say, e-mail?
Artists have to handle criticism.

Big Eyes (2014)
I'd like a say and how we handle this.

The Highwaymen (2019)
I'd like to know how you handle things.

The Bodyguard (1992)
In part, this was due to differences of opinion over how best to handle North Korea.

Academic text (2000)
I want you to give him your thoughts and wisdom about how to handle life up ahead.

Christmas With the Karountzoses (2015)

Synonyms

to deal

vsto handle

∞ 1.6

To handle a problem or person by taking action

emphasizes discussing or presenting a subject rather than taking action

to address

vsto handle

∞ 3.6

To deal with a subject in speech or writing

is broader, used for subjects and themes as well as specific problems

to cover

vsto handle

Literature

954 3.3

To report on a news event or topic

is used for discussing topics generally, not only reporting

to treat

vsto handle

287 3.5

To show or discuss a subject in a particular way

focuses more on discussion and explanation than artistic presentation

to manage

vsto handle

239 2.3

To hold and use things carefully so they do not break or fall

focuses on discussion and analysis rather than controlling tasks

Antonyms

to avoid

∞ 1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

Idioms

to fly off the handle

Informal

11 6.8

To suddenly become very angry

too hot to handle

Informal

2 7.7

A subject that is too difficult or risky to deal with

to handle with kid gloves

Informal

1 7.0

Treat someone very gently to avoid upsetting them

Phrasal Verbs

to handle oneself

43 5.4

To act calmly and correctly in difficult or stressful situations

to have a handle on

16 4.2

To understand something well enough to deal with it

to handle with care

4 3.5

To treat someone or something gently to avoid harm

to handle a situation

3 3.2

To deal with a problem or difficult event well

to crank the handle

1 3.7

Turn a handle by hand to make a machine start or work

to handle with ease

3.3

Deal with a task or problem easily and with confidence

to handle your dickery

Offensive

9.9

To accept someone's annoying or foolish behavior without complaining

Compounds

love handle

Informal

7 3.9

A small roll of fat at the sides of the waist

ax handle

3 2.5

A wooden or metal stick you hold to use an ax

broom handle

2 1.0

A long stick used to hold and move a broom

mop handle

1 1.0

A long stick attached to a mop used for holding and moving it while cleaning

basket-handle arch

Specialized

8.2

An arch with a wide, flat curve made from parts of three circles, often used in bridges and large buildings

crank handle

4.9

A piece you turn by hand to start an engine or make a machine work

knife-handle

9.9

A small sea clam with a long narrow curved shell like the handle of a knife

handle-bars

7.4

A large bushy moustache with long ends that curl or hang beside the mouth

rake handle

2.5

A long stick used to hold a garden tool for moving leaves

starting handle

Specialized

8.8

A metal crank you put into an engine and turn by hand to make it run

How Thorough

to analyze

675 3.2

to explore

471 2.3

to handle

41 2.8

to address

211 3.9

to mention

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

handle infinitive

handled past

handled past participle

handling present participle

handles third person singular

Morphology

handle = hand (semi-transparent) = hand + le

The sense 'to deal with or discuss' is a metaphorical extension from handling physically to handling topics; it's inferable but more abstract.

Etymology

Handle comes from the same root hand and the idea of treating something with care. So when you handle a subject in speech or writing, you are dealing with or treating that topic.