handle

[ han-dl ]

noun

1. a part of a thing made specifically to be grasped or held by the hand.
2. that which may be held, seized, grasped, or taken advantage of in effecting a purpose:

   The clue was a handle for solving the mystery.

3. Slang.
   1. a person's name, especially the given name.
   2. a person's alias, nickname, or code name.
   3. a username, as on a social media website:

      What's your Twitter handle?

   4. a name or term by which something is known, described, or explained.
4. 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.

5. 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.
6. hand ( def 27 ).
7. 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)

, han·dled, han·dling.

1. to touch, pick up, carry, or feel with the hand or hands; use the hands on; take hold of.
2. to manage, deal with, or be responsible for:

   My wife handles the household accounts.

   This computer handles all our billing.

3. to use or employ, especially in a particular manner; manipulate:

   to handle color expertly in painting.

4. to manage, direct, train, or control:

   to handle troops.

5. to deal with (a subject, theme, argument, etc.):

   The poem handled the problem of instinct versus intellect.

6. to deal with or treat in a particular way:

   to handle a person with tact.

7. to deal or trade in:

   to handle dry goods.

   Synonyms: peddle, hawk, market, carry, vend, sell

verb (used without object)

, han·dled, han·dling.

1. 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

1. the part of a utensil, drawer, etc, designed to be held in order to move, use, or pick up the object
2. a glass beer mug with a handle
3. slang.
   a person's name or title
4. See call sign
   a CB radio slang name for call sign
5. an opportunity, reason, or excuse for doing something

   his background served as a handle for their mockery

6. the quality, as of textiles, perceived by touching or feeling
7. the total amount of a bet on a horse race or similar event
8. fly off the handle informal.
   fly off the handle to become suddenly extremely angry

verb

1. to pick up and hold, move, or touch with the hands
2. to operate or employ using the hands

   the boy handled the reins well

3. to have power or control over

   my wife handles my investments

4. to manage successfully

   a secretary must be able to handle clients

5. to discuss (a theme, subject, etc)
6. to deal with or treat in a specified way

   I was handled with great tact

7. to trade or deal in (specified merchandise)
8. intr to react or respond in a specified way to operation or control

   the car handles well on bends

Derived Forms

• ˈhandled, adjective
• ˈhandleable, adjective
• ˈhandleless, adjective

Other Words From

• handle·a·ble adjective
• handle·a·bili·ty noun
• handle·less adjective
• over·handle verb (used with object) overhandled overhandling
• pre·handle verb (used with object) prehandled prehandling
• re·handle verb (used with object) rehandled rehandling

Word History and Origins

Origin of handle¹

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English handel, Old English hand(e)le, derivative of hand none; (verb) Middle English handelen, Old English handlian (cognate with German handlen, Old Norse hǫndla “to seize”), derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of handle¹

Old English; related to Old Saxon handlon (vb), Old High German hantilla towel

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

2. 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

Carved above the door’s handle is an eye out of which a pool of static grows, destabilizing the image.

From Washington Post

Astronomers may soon get a better handle on the compositions of TRAPPIST-1’s planets.

From Science News

As time goes on, keeping a handle on things gets more time consuming as you are adding news terms and copies every day.

From Search Engine Watch

Like most members of the Reddit channel WallStreetBets, he prefers the anonymity of his handle.

From Quartz

The models have to accurately figure out how the two streams of flow will interact with the high pressure to get a solid handle on the forecast.

From Washington Post

The judges who handle arraignments at criminal court in all five boroughs have a small fraction of their usual caseloads.

From The Daily Beast

Yet, what my peers do not realize – or cannot handle – is that rejection is a necessary part of forging a romantic relationships.

From The Daily Beast

Not bragging, but come on, most guys my age can handle maybe one or two in one night.

From The Daily Beast

People always have to perceive the problems before them, including many unexpected nuances, and decide how to handle them.

From The Daily Beast

This past summer, Colleen LaRose, known by her self-anointed handle ‘Jihad Jane’, was sentenced to ten years in prison.

From The Daily Beast

For who, while tears are falling, will pause to handle the wreaths, and find whether they are genuine?

From Project Gutenberg

He stood swaying the umbrella-handle about, looking down at it, as if that would assist his decision.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, his hand resting on the handle of the cab-door, this expression suddenly changed to one of alert suspicion.

From Project Gutenberg

The active Capt descended, and seizing the substantial handle rang loudly.

From Project Gutenberg

"I did n't fly off the handle," said the screw, twirling huskily at the end of the screw-shaft.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• administer
• conduct
• control
• deal with
• discuss
• employ
• exercise
• govern
• operate
• play
• serve
• supervise
• take
• treat
• use
• utilize
• work