handle
gb/hˈændəl/ us/hˈændəl/
A2
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Part for holding or controlling
The part of something that you hold with your hand to use or move it.
Usage pattern:
the handle of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'handle' with 'knob'; a knob is round and often turned, while a handle is usually pulled or held.
Synonyms
grip (Often used for the part of something designed for a firm hold; can also refer to the act of holding.)
Antonyms
body (Refers to the main part of the object rather than the part used to hold it.)
Collocations
door handle
|suitcase handle
|pan handle
|broom handle
Themes
daily life
|tools
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She turned the door handle and went inside.
- The suitcase handle broke at the airport.
- He burned his hand on the hot pan handle.
- The mug has a large handle for easy holding.
Learner examples
- I held the door handle.
- The bag has a strong handle.
- Please fix the handle of this cup.
Verb
B1
action
2
To deal with or manage something
To take care of or control something or someone.
Usage pattern:
to handle [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'handle' with 'touch'; 'handle' in this sense means to deal with, not just physically touch.
Synonyms
manage (Often interchangeable, but 'manage' can imply ongoing administration while 'handle' can be for specific tasks or situations.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failing to give proper attention or care to something that needs it.)
Collocations
handle a problem
|handle stress
|handle responsibility
|handle customers
Themes
daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She can handle any problem that comes her way.
- I don't think he can handle so much responsibility.
- The teacher handled the disruptive student calmly.
- Can you handle the meeting while I'm away?
Learner examples
- I can handle this job.
- He handles many calls every day.
- She handles the money in the shop.
Verb
A2
action
3
To hold or touch with hands
To touch or move something using your hands.
Usage pattern:
to handle [an object]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'manage'; here it means physical contact and movement.
Synonyms
grasp (Implies a firmer and more secure hold than 'handle'.)
Antonyms
drop (Letting go of something so it falls.)
Collocations
handle with care
|handle fragile items
|handle tools
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please handle the glassware carefully.
- He handled the antique vase gently.
- You should wash your hands before handling food.
Learner examples
- I handled the box carefully.
- Do not handle the flowers roughly.
- She handles the books every day.
Noun
informal
B1
entity
4
Online or radio nickname
A name you use on the internet or on the radio instead of your real name.
Common mistake:
Some learners may confuse 'handle' with 'hashtag'; a hashtag is for topics, not usernames.
Synonyms
username (A general term for a login name; not always used in public display like some 'handles' are.)
Collocations
Twitter handle
|radio handle
|online handle
Themes
technology
|communication
Examples
- What's your Twitter handle?
- He goes by the handle 'SkyRider' online.
- The trucker's CB radio handle was 'Road King'.
Learner examples
- My online handle is CoolCat99.
- What is your Twitter handle?
- He uses a funny handle on the forum.
Grammar
Dictionary form
handle
IPA
GB/hˈændəl/
US/hˈændəl/
Syllables & stress
handle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (handle)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: handle
- Plural: handles
Verb
- Base: handle
- 3rd Person Singular: handles
- Present Participle: handling
- Past: handled
Word family
Forms
handles
noun
handling
verb
handled
verb
Related words
handler
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
mishandle
verb
Expressions
can't handle it
1/kˈænt hˈændəl ˈɪt/
fixed phrase
informal
Unable to deal with something difficult
Not able to deal with a problem, feeling, or situation.
Examples
- I just can't handle it anymore.
- She can't handle all this pressure at work.
get a handle on
1/ɡˈɛt ə hˈændəl ˈɔn/
idiom
informal
Start to understand or control something
To start understanding something or knowing how to deal with it.
Examples
- I'm finally getting a handle on my new job.
- It took me weeks to get a handle on the software.
take in hand
1/tˈeɪk ˈɪn hˈænd/
idiom
Deal firmly to improve situation/person
To begin controlling someone or something to make them better.
Examples
- The teacher took the noisy class in hand.
- We need someone to take this project in hand.
fly off the handle
1/flˈaɪ ˈɔf ðə hˈændəl/
idiom
informal
Become suddenly angry
To get angry very suddenly and strongly.
Examples
- He flew off the handle when he heard about the mistake.
- He flew off the handle when he heard about the delay.
- Don’t fly off the handle over something so small.
- Try not to fly off the handle over small problems.
handle with care
1/hˈændəl wˈɪθ kˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
Treat gently to avoid damage
Be very careful when you touch or move this thing so it does not break.
Examples
- The box is marked 'Fragile: Handle with care'.
- These boxes contain glassware, so please handle with care.
- The box says "Fragile: handle with care" on the side.
- Please handle with care; it's very old and valuable.
- Fragile items must be handled with care during shipping.
- These samples are very delicate, so please handle them with care.