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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:
What'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.
- 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.
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
/ ˈhændəl /
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
- slang.a 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
- fly off the handle informal.to 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
Derived Forms
- ˈhandleable, adjective
- ˈhandled, adjective
- ˈhandleless, adjective
Other Words From
- handle·a·ble adjective
- handle·a·bili·ty noun
- handle·less adjective
- over·handle verb (used with object) overhandled overhandling
- pre·handle verb (used with object) prehandled prehandling
- re·handle verb (used with object) rehandled rehandling
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of handle1
Idioms and Phrases
- fly off the handle, Informal. to become very agitated or angry, especially without warning or adequate reason:
I can't imagine why he flew off the handle like that.
- get / have a handle on, to acquire an understanding or knowledge of:
Can you get a handle on what your new boss expects?
More idioms and phrases containing handle
- fly off the handle
- get a fix (handle) on
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Related Words
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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