Deal with

deal with & deals with dealing with dealt with dealt with

1. deal with p.v. When you deal with a project or a problem, you do what you must do to complete the project or to solve the problem.

There are many problems, but I can deal with only one at a time.

After school the principal will deal with the boys who broke the window.

2. deal with p.v. When a book, film, article, speech, and so on, deals with a certain subject, that is what it is about.

The governor's speech dealt with the growing crime rate.

I read an interesting article dealing with the issue of legalizing marijuana.

1. hold on (to) p.v. When you hold on or hold on to something, you hold it tightly so that you will not fall or be hurt. Hang on is similar to hold on.

When the horse jumped over the fence, I held on as hard as I could.

Hold on to the rail when you get out of the bathtub — it's slippery.

2. hold on (to) p.v. When you hold on or hold on to people, you hold them tightly to protect them or to prevent them from leaving. When you hold on or hold on to things, you hold them tightly to protect them or to prevent them from being taken.

Sam grabbed the robber's legs and held on while the guard handcuffed her.

We were holding on to each other as the tornado passed.

3. hold on p.v. [informal] When you hold on, you wait for a short time. Hang on is the same as hold on.

Can you hold on just a little longer? I'll be right with you.

I've been holding on for fifteen minutes. I can't wait any longer.