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- deal with
deal with
deal with someone
Sl. to kill someone. "Spike, you deal with that cop," said the crime boss. The agent planned how best to deal with the rebel leader without getting caught.
deal with someone or something
to manage someone or something. This is not a big problem. I think I can deal with it. I am sure I can deal with Jill.
deal with
2. Do business with someone, as in
I like dealing with this company. [Late 1600s] Also see
deal in, def. 2.
3. Take action in, handle, administer, dispose of, as in The committee will deal with this matter. [Second half of 1400s]
4. Act in a specified way toward someone, as in He dealt extremely fairly with his competitors. [c. 1300]
deal with
v.1. To be about something; have to do with something: This report deals with teaching students how to read.
2. To confront or grapple with something: I can't deal with all of these problems at the same time. These researchers are dealing with the most difficult issues in the field. You dealt with their hostility very well.