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deal with

A2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To do something about a problem or situation, or to be about a topic.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To take action in order to solve a problem or manage a situation.

"Can you deal with the customer complaints while I'm in the meeting?"

"We need to deal with the problem of youth unemployment."

— Tony Blair, Speech to the Labour Party Conference (1997)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To be about a particular subject or topic (used of books, films, reports, etc.).

"Her new novel deals with the aftermath of war."

"The book deals with the question of what it means to be human."

— Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time (1988)
Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 neutral

To have business or commercial relations with a person or company.

"We've been dealing with that supplier for over ten years."

Grammar: inseparable
4 A2 informal

To emotionally or psychologically cope with something difficult.

"After the loss, she found it hard to deal with everyday life."

"I'm still trying to deal with that."

— Adele, interview with Rolling Stone (2011)
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

One of the most common phrasal verbs in English. Used in both formal and informal contexts. 'Deal with it' as a standalone phrase has a dismissive, informal tone meaning 'accept the situation'.

Commonly used with

problem issue situation stress customer complaint consequences

Forms

Base
deal with
I/you/we/they
3rd person
deals with
he/she/it
Past simple
dealt with
yesterday
Past participle
dealt with
have + pp
-ing form
dealing with
continuous

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Synonyms

handle manage tackle address cope with take care of

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