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Glite Dictionary
to handle a situation

to handle a situation

3 3.2
To deal with a problem or difficult event well
  • phrasal verb
: manejar una situación
  • We're not equipped to handle a situation like this.
  • know how to handle a situation
  • way to handle a situation

That's how you handle a situation under those terms.

Examples

  • The issue is how to handle a situation like the one Megan is facing.

    Blog text (31)

  • Sometimes I'll feel guilty over how I handled a situation with the kids or that I didn't spend as much time with one of them as I think I should have that day.

    Blog text (2)

  • How would a normal person handle a situation like this?

    Delivery Man (2013)

  • - No, I had to handle a situation.

    Grapes on a Vine (2008)

  • "There was only one way to handle a situation like that: Go straight through it."

    Blog text (18)

  • That's where sharing strategies and successes with others who have found ways to handle a situation comes in handy.

    Blog text (2)

  • She doesn't know how to handle a situation at work, and so she wants Bill's advice.

    Academic text (2011)

  • In crisis management, it's essential to know how to handle a situation effectively.

  • During the workshop, we discussed various ways to handle a situation when tensions rise.

  • She remains calm and collected, no matter how difficult it is to handle a situation.

Synonyms

to deal
vsto handle a situation
∞ 1.6

To handle a problem or person by taking action

is broader covering steady organization rather than a single action
to handle
vsto handle a situation
∞ 2.1

Deal with a task, person, or situation

is about making such situations work effectively
to cope
vsto handle a situation
272 2.9

To deal with problems and difficult situations

focuses on making difficult situations work well rather than merely surviving
to manage
vsto handle a situation
239 2.3

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

focuses more on achieving effective overall results
to cope with
vsto handle a situation
150 2.9

Manage a difficult problem, situation or strong feeling

emphasizes active effective control rather than just getting by
to solve problems
vsto handle a situation
48 2.7

To find solutions to difficult situations

is about keeping situations under control rather than only fixing issues
to tackle (the problem)
vsto handle a situation
5 3.0

To try hard to solve a problem

focuses on effective management rather than just energetic confrontation

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to mishandle
20 4.9

Deal with something badly so it causes problems or damage

How Well

to master
191 4.1
to handle a situation
3 3.2
to cope with
150 2.9
to mishandle
20 4.9

Surface Forms

handle infinitive
handled past
handled past participle
handling present participle
handles third person singular

Morphology

handle + a + situation

The meaning 'to deal with or manage a problem or set of circumstances' is directly and transparently derived from 'handle' (to manage/deal with) combined with 'situation' (circumstances); the article 'a' does not change composition. This is a straightforward, cross-linguistically common verb + noun composition and would be predictable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Handle a situation comes from the image of holding a physical handle to steer or control something when it is difficult, with the situation being what you must control. So, to handle a situation means 'to deal with' or 'manage' a problem.