Phrasal verb
cope with
Definition
phrasal verb. to deal successfully with a difficult situation or problem.
phrasal verb. to manage or contend with a stressful or challenging situation, often implying an emotional or psychological effort to maintain control.
Examples
“He finds it hard to cope with his new job.”
“After the factory closed, many families struggled to cope with the sudden loss of income.”
“Psychologists suggest that developing strong social networks is essential for helping individuals cope with the long-term effects of trauma.”
Examples
simple
“He finds it hard to cope with his new job.”
contextual
“After the factory closed, many families struggled to cope with the sudden loss of income.”
complex
“Psychologists suggest that developing strong social networks is essential for helping individuals cope with the long-term effects of trauma.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cope with” in context.
Verb
01. fail to cope with
“The old drainage system failed to cope with the heavy rainfall last night.”
verb + infinitive
02. help people cope with
“The charity provides counseling to help people cope with the loss of a loved one.”
verb + noun + infinitive
03. learn to cope with
“It takes time to learn to cope with the stress of a new job.”
verb + infinitive
Noun
04. ability to cope with
“Her ability to cope with pressure makes her a great leader for this team.”
noun + infinitive
05. strategies to cope with
“The workshop teaches students effective strategies to cope with exam anxiety.”
noun + infinitive
Adverb
06. barely cope with
“The hospital staff could barely cope with the number of patients arriving after the accident.”
adv + verb
07. struggle to cope with
“Many small businesses struggle to cope with the rising costs of electricity.”
verb + infinitive
08. successfully cope with
“The new manager successfully coped with the sudden increase in customer complaints.”
adv + verb
Usage
usually followed by a noun or gerund representing the problem or stressor.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'manage' (more neutral) and 'handle' (more active); 'cope with' often focuses on the person's emotional resilience during the struggle.
Pitfall
She is coping the stress well.
She is coping with the stress well.
the verb 'cope' requires the preposition 'with' to connect to the object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
with
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
cope + with + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/cope-with