Definition

1. Verb:
   • To be in charge of, control, or administer: To have executive control or authority over an organization, group, or set of affairs.
   • To succeed in doing or dealing with something, especially something difficult: To achieve a goal or handle a situation, often through effort, skill, or resourcefulness.
   • To handle, operate, or use effectively: To control the functioning or use of a tool, machine, or resource.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • She will manage the new project team. (She will be in charge of the new project team.)
  • I don't know how we'll manage without him. (I don't know how we'll succeed in coping without him.)
  • Can you manage that heavy suitcase? (Can you succeed in handling that heavy suitcase?)

Advanced Usage

• "manage to do something": To succeed in doing something, especially something that requires effort or is challenging.
  • He managed to finish the report on time. (He succeeded in finishing the report on time.)
• "manage with/without": To cope or function with or without a particular thing or person.
  • We'll have to manage with less funding this year. (We'll have to cope with less funding this year.)

Variants and Related Words

• Management (n): The process of dealing with or controlling things or people; the people who run a company or organization.
  • The store is under new management.
• Manager (n): A person responsible for controlling or administering an organization or group of staff.
  • She was promoted to office manager.
• Manageable (adj): Able to be controlled or dealt with without great difficulty.
  • The task is complex but manageable.

Synonyms

• Administer: To manage and be responsible for the running of a business, organization, etc.
• Supervise: To observe and direct the execution of a task or the work of a person.
• Handle: To deal with or have responsibility for a situation or person.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Manage up: To consciously work with one's superior(s) to achieve the best possible results for all parties.
  • A key skill is learning how to manage up effectively.
• Manage out: To encourage or force an employee to leave an organization, often through a structured process.
  • The company decided to manage out underperforming staff.

Related Idioms

• Manage to make ends meet: To have just enough money to pay for the things you need.
  • With prices rising, it's hard to manage to make ends meet.
• Manage by the seat of one's pants: To manage a situation by using instinct and practical experience rather than a planned method.
  • He had no formal training and had to manage by the seat of his pants.

Verb

1. handle effectively
   • The burglar wielded an axe
   • The young violinist didn't manage her bow very well
2. carry on or function
   • We could do with a little more help around here
3. achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
4. watch and direct
   • Who is overseeing this project?
5. come to terms with
   • We got by on just a gallon of gas
   • They made do on half a loaf of bread every day
6. be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
   • I can deal with this crew of workers
   • This blender can't handle nuts
   • She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old
7. be successful; achieve a goal
   • She succeeded in persuading us all
   • I managed to carry the box upstairs
   • She pulled it off, even though we never thought her capable of it
   • The pianist negociated the difficult runs