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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
Example Sentences
And Labour strategists believe that appearing to get a handle on welfare is an essential weapon in the anti-Reform UK armoury.
Could you not handle how pleasant it was, such a contrast to what you were used to.
"He was almost nailed on after the way the Irish centres were handled by France on Saturday, which made his case stronger," Ashton told BBC Rugby Union Weekly.
Eventually he got a chance at Avai, a smaller club with a solid youth system where he learnt to handle the physical side of the game before having to face the first of many crises.
Based on the severity of the deputy’s injuries, in this instance the bureau decided to retain the case and handle the investigation.
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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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