Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - deal with

1. When you deal with something or someone that needs attention, you give your attention to them, and often solve a problem or make a decision concerning them. ...the way that building societies deal with complaints... The President said the agreement would allow other vital problems to be dealt with. = handle PHRASAL VERB: V P n, V P n 2. If you deal with an unpleasant emotion or an emotionally difficult situation, you recognize it, and remain calm and in control of yourself in spite of it. She saw a psychiatrist who used hypnotism to help her deal with her fear... PHRASAL VERB: V P n 3. If a book, speech, or film deals with a particular thing, it has that thing as its subject or is concerned with it. ...the parts of his book which deal with contemporary Paris. PHRASAL VERB: V P n 4. If you deal with a particular person or organization, you have business relations with them. When I worked in Florida I dealt with British people all the time... PHRASAL VERB: V P n