To take action to handle a situation, problem, or person, or to be about a particular subject.
To do something about a problem or situation, or to be about a topic.
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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)
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)
To have business or commercial relations with a person or company.
"We've been dealing with that supplier for over ten years."
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)
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'.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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