to manage craving

4.9

To control strong urges for things like cigarettes and junk food

phrasal verb

: controlar el deseo

I can manage craving for sweets now.

Examples

Therapists teach their clients how to manage cravings for unhealthy foods.
Many people find it difficult to manage cravings when quitting smoking.
With the right strategies, you can manage cravings and make healthier choices.
She is learning to manage craving for junk food.
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is important to manage cravings for sugary snacks.
He found that exercise helped him manage cravings for cigarettes when he was trying to quit.
Learning mindfulness techniques can be effective in helping people manage cravings for unhealthy foods.

Synonyms

to resist

vsto manage craving

291 2.5

Stop yourself from doing something you want to do

focuses on continued control and reduction of strong unhealthy desires rather than one stop

Antonyms

surrender

77 4.2

Giving up after defeat, for example when an army stops fighting

to indulge

68 4.3

To allow yourself to enjoy something pleasant, often more than needed

Surface Forms

manage craving infinitive

managed craving past

managed craving past participle

managing craving present participle

manages craving third person singular

Morphology

manage + craving

The meaning 'to control or reduce strong desires' is directly and compositionally derived from 'manage' (to handle or deal with) plus 'craving' (a powerful desire). This is a straightforward verb + noun combination following common English patterns (and similar constructions in other languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Manage craving uses a simple image: to manage is to hold or guide, and a craving is a strong pull toward something you want. So, imagining holding back that pull helps explain why it means 'to control or reduce strong desires'.