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handle
[han-dl]
noun
a part of a thing made specifically to be grasped or held by the hand.
that which may be held, seized, grasped, or taken advantage of in effecting a purpose.
The clue was a handle for solving the mystery.
Slang.
a person's name, especially the given name.
a person's alias, nickname, or code name.
a username, as on a social media website.
's your Twitter handle?
a name or term by which something is known, described, or explained.
the total amount wagered on an event, series of events, or for an entire season or seasons, as at a gambling casino or in horse racing.
The track handle for the day was over a million dollars.
the total amount of money taken in by a business concern on one transaction, sale, event, or series of transactions, or during a specific period, especially by a theater, nightclub, sports arena, resort hotel, or the like.
hand.
Informal.a way of getting ahead or gaining an advantage.
The manufacturer regards the new appliance as its handle on the Christmas market.
verb (used with object)
to touch, pick up, carry, or feel with the hand or hands; use the hands on; take hold of.
to manage, deal with, or be responsible for.
My wife handles the household accounts.
This computer handles all our billing.
to use or employ, especially in a particular manner; manipulate.
to handle color expertly in painting.
to manage, direct, train, or control.
to handle troops.
to deal with (a subject, theme, argument, etc.).
The poem handled the problem of instinct versus intellect.
to deal with or treat in a particular way.
to handle a person with tact.
to deal or trade in.
to handle dry goods.
Synonyms: , , , , ,
verb (used without object)
to behave or perform in a particular way when handled, directed, managed, etc..
The troops handled well.
The jet was handling poorly.
handle
/ ˈæԻə /
noun
the part of a utensil, drawer, etc, designed to be held in order to move, use, or pick up the object
a glass beer mug with a handle
slanga person's name or title
a CB radio slang name for call sign
an opportunity, reason, or excuse for doing something
his background served as a handle for their mockery
the quality, as of textiles, perceived by touching or feeling
the total amount of a bet on a horse race or similar event
informalto become suddenly extremely angry
verb
to pick up and hold, move, or touch with the hands
to operate or employ using the hands
the boy handled the reins well
to have power or control over
my wife handles my investments
to manage successfully
a secretary must be able to handle clients
to discuss (a theme, subject, etc)
to deal with or treat in a specified way
I was handled with great tact
to trade or deal in (specified merchandise)
(intr) to react or respond in a specified way to operation or control
the car handles well on bends
Other Word Forms
- handleable adjective
- handleability noun
- handleless adjective
- overhandle verb (used with object)
- prehandle verb (used with object)
- rehandle verb (used with object)
- ˈԻ adjective
- ˈԻ adjective
- ˈԻ adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of handle1
Idioms and Phrases
get / have a handle on, to acquire an understanding or knowledge of.
Can you get a handle on what your new boss expects?
fly off the handle, to become very agitated or angry, especially without warning or adequate reason.
I can't imagine why he flew off the handle like that.
Example Sentences
Whistleblowers made allegations over the way pay was handled for some construction staff on the high-speed line.
Former detective Maggie Oliver, who resigned from Greater Manchester Police over the way grooming cases were handled in Rochdale, said the Conservatives and Labour had both been "dragged kicking and screaming to this point".
General is staffed to handle crises, not long-term care of people with dementia or traumatic brain injuries.
"They didn't think a woman could handle the physical demands of engineering. I searched for three months before someone finally gave me a chance."
Padilla said that he was in the federal building on Thursday for a briefing with a general, because for weeks he’s been trying unsuccessfully to get answers about how deportations are being handled.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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