handle (redirected from handling)

be too hot to handle (informal)

if something or someone is too hot to handle, people cannot deal with them, because they are dangerous or difficult. The book was so sexually explicit, it was considered too hot to handle by most publishers.

See also: hot

fly off the handle (informal)

to react in a very angry way to something someone says or does. He really flew off the handle when I suggested selling the house.

See also: fly

get a handle on something (informal)

to find a way to understand a situation in order to control it. We need to get a better handle on the effects of climate change.

handle/treat someone with kid gloves

to be very polite or kind to someone who is important or easily upset because you do not want to make them angry or upset. Linda can be a very difficult woman - you've really got to handle her with kid gloves.

See also: glove, kid, treat

love handles (humorous)

a layer of extra fat around the middle of a person's body. You wouldn't want me to lose my love handles, would you?

See also: love

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fly off the handle

to get very angry. When we make mistakes, he brings it to our attention, but he doesn't fly off the handle like he used to.

See also: fly

get a handle on something

to understand something. We need to get a handle on what caused the fire and what can be done to prevent another one.

handle someone with kid gloves

treat someone with kid gloves

See also: glove, kid

too hot to handle

too dangerous or difficult to deal with. Certain subjects are still too hot to handle on television shows.

See also: hot