deal with sth

deal with somebody/something phrasal verb
1. to take the necessary action, especially in order to solve a problem SYN handle:
a strategy for dealing with disruptive pupils
Don’t worry, I’ll deal with this.
deal with a problem/issue/matter etc
The council has failed to deal with the problem of homelessness in the city.
deal effectively/adequately etc with something
They should deal properly and fairly with any complaint.
2. if a book, speech etc deals with a particular subject, it is about that subject:
These ideas are dealt with more fully in Chapter Four.
3. to do business with someone or have a business connection with someone:
Most travel agents do not deal directly with these companies.
4. to succeed in controlling your feelings about an emotional problem so that it does not affect your life SYN cope with:
How’s he dealing with the whole thing?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

deal with sth (TAKE ACTION) — phrasal verb with deal / dɪəl / verb [ I or T ] ( dealt , dealt )

B1 to take action in order to achieve something or in order to solve a problem:

How do you intend to deal with this problem?

General enquiries are dealt with by our head office.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

deal with [phrasal verb] deal with (someone or something)
1 : to be about (something) : to have (something) as a subject
• The book deals with World War II.
• Her speech dealt with health care and the nation's economy.
• The film deals with some serious issues.
2 : to make business agreements with (someone)
• He deals fairly with all his customers.
• Their salespeople are very easy to deal with.
3 : to do something about (a person or thing that causes a problem or difficult situation)
• The government dealt harshly with the rebels.
• I'll deal with you later.
• Who's going to deal with this mess?
• I dealt with the problem myself.
• Can you suggest some ways of dealing with a difficult child?
• We weren't able/equipped/prepared to deal with such a large crowd of people.
• He needs to learn how to deal with his anger.
4 : to accept or try to accept (something that is true and cannot be changed) : to control your feelings about (something)
• She's still trying to deal with his death.
• I'm still dealing with the fact that we lost the game.
• The weather is bad, but we'll just have to deal with it.
- deal·er noun, pl -ers [count]
• a used car dealer
• drug dealers