handful

Something or someone that is difficult to manage. Joan's daughter is very polite and well-behaved, but her son is a real handful, always getting into trouble. This project seemed easy at first but it has become a real handful, and I'm not sure I'm going to finish by the deadline.

by the handful

in amounts equal to a handful; in quantity. Billy is eating candy by the handful. People began leaving by the handful at midnight.

*a handful

Fig. someone, often a child, who is difficult to deal with. (*Typically: be ~ become ~.) Bobby can be a real handful when he needs a nap.

handful

n. a difficult thing or person. Little Jimmy is a handful.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Pepito	pe-PEE-to	Spanish
Kerenza	-	English (Rare)
Dee	DEE	English
Phyliss	FIL-is	English
ŠImona	-	Czech
Loreto	-	Italian, Spanish