ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cope with sth

phr. v..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

phr. v.. to deal successfully with a difficult situation or a heavy workload.

phr. v.. to manage or contend with a stressful or challenging situation effectively; often implies maintaining emotional or operational stability under pressure.


SIMPLE

He finds it hard to cope with the stress of his new job.

CONTEXTUAL

The local hospital is struggling to cope with the sudden increase in patients during the winter flu season.

COMPLEX

Psychologists suggest that developing strong social networks is essential for helping people cope with the long-term effects of traumatic life events.

Particles
with
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
cope + with + object
Usage

usually followed by a noun phrase representing a problem, stressor, or responsibility.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'manage' (more neutral) and 'handle' (more active); 'cope with' often highlights the emotional or psychological effort required to survive a situation.

Pitfall

She is coping the pressure well.She is coping with the pressure well.the verb 'cope' requires the preposition 'with' when followed by an object.

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