Translate handle | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of handle
verb
[with object] 1feel or manipulate with the hands:heavy paving slabs can be difficult to handle people who handle food drive or control (a vehicle):where did you learn to handle a boat? [no object] (of a vehicle) respond in a specified manner when being driven or controlled:a roadworthy bicycle that also handles well off the pavement
2manage (a situation or problem):a lawyer’s ability to handle a case properly informal deal with (someone or something):I don’t think I could handle it if they turned me down control or manage commercially:the advertising company that is handling the account [with adverbial] (
handle oneself)
conduct oneself in a specified manner:he handled himself with considerable aplomb (
handle oneself)
informal defend oneself physically or verbally:I can handle myself in a fight
noun
1the part by which a thing is held, carried, or controlled:the pan features helpful lifting handles (
a handle on)
a means of understanding, controlling, or approaching a person or situation:it’ll give people some kind of handle on these issues get a handle on your life
2 informal a name or nickname:that’s some handle for a baby if you use Twitter, his handle is TheNextCorner
3 [in singular] US informal the total amount of money bet over a particular time (typically at a casino) or at a particular sporting event:the monthly handle of a couple of casinos in Las Vegas
