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deal with
/diːl wɪð/◆phrasal verb
handle or manage a situation or problem
She learned to deal with stress through meditation.
She managed stress by meditating.
general
To handle or manage a situation, problem, or person effectively.
The manager needs to deal with customer complaints promptly.
The manager must handle customer complaints quickly.
How do you deal with difficult coworkers?
How do you manage or cope with difficult coworkers?
This phrasal verb is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
formal
To address or confront an issue or challenge directly.
The government must deal with the economic crisis immediately.
The government must address the economic crisis directly.
Often used in formal discussions or official contexts.
Collocations
deal with stressmanage or cope with stressdeal with problemshandle or solve problemsdeal with peopleinteract with or manage people
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Deal with' is often used to describe how someone handles a situation, problem, or person. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'deal with' can vary slightly depending on the context. In formal settings, it often means to address or confront an issue directly, while in informal contexts, it can mean to manage or cope with something.
Word Origin
The phrase 'deal with' comes from the verb 'deal,' meaning to distribute or manage, combined with the preposition 'with,' indicating the subject being managed.
Usage Notes
This phrasal verb is versatile and can be used in various contexts, from everyday conversations to formal settings. It is often followed by a noun or pronoun representing the situation or person being managed.
Word Breakdown
deal
to distribute or manage
rootwith
indicates the subject being managed
prepositionEnglish Dictionary