handle him

USAGE SUMMARY

"handle him" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone needing to deal with another person, or a situation. For example, "The manager needs to handle him carefully, as he is a difficult customer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let me handle him".

The New Yorker

You couldn't handle him.

The New Yorker

Snow will handle him.

The Guardian - Books

6) Nobody couldn't handle him.

Yale University

They couldn't handle him".

The Guardian - Sport

No defenders who could handle him.

The New York Times - Sports

One man can't handle him".

The New York Times - Sports

How does she handle him?

The Guardian

(She can probably handle him).

The New Yorker

"We just couldn't handle him".

The New York Times - Sports

I could handle him with words.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "handle him", consider the context and ensure it aligns with the intended meaning. For example, "handle him" can imply managing a difficult person or dealing with a challenging situation.

Common error

Ensure the context clearly indicates who "him" refers to, especially in complex sentences, to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handle him" functions as a verb phrase, where "handle" is the verb and "him" is the object pronoun. It indicates the action of managing, dealing with, or controlling someone. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

18%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "handle him" is a verb phrase that functions to describe the act of managing, dealing with, or controlling someone. As Ludwig demonstrates, its usage is very common, especially in News & Media and Sports contexts. While grammatically correct, it's crucial to ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and provides ample examples of its practical application. Consider using alternatives like "manage him" or "deal with him" to subtly shift the nuance of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manage him

This alternative focuses on the organizational aspect of dealing with someone.

deal with him

This is a general term for addressing someone or a situation.

control him

This emphasizes the aspect of maintaining power or influence over someone.

bring him under control

Similar to "control him" but emphasizes a process of gaining control.

take care of him

This suggests a nurturing or responsible approach to managing someone.

subdue him

This conveys overpowering or suppressing someone.

overcome him

Focuses on prevailing over someone or their influence.

sort him out

This implies resolving issues or problems related to someone.

bring him to heel

To force someone to obey your orders or wishes.

keep him in line

This means ensuring someone behaves according to the rules.

FAQs

How can I use "handle him" in a sentence?

You can use "handle him" in sentences like, "Let me "handle him", he's a VIP criminal", or "They couldn't "handle him" because he was too much of a larrikin."

What does "handle him" mean?

"Handle him" generally means to manage, deal with, or control a person or situation effectively.

Which is a more formal way to say "handle him"?

More formal alternatives include "manage him" or "address him" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "handle him"?

You can use alternatives like "manage him", "deal with him", or "control him" depending on the context. Each alternative has a slightly different nuance.