manage
- 01 A2 Elementary
to be in charge of a business, a shop, or a group of people at work.
to exercise executive, administrative, or supervisory control over an organisation, department, or team.
Simple“She was promoted last year and now manages a team of ten people.”
In context“After years of working in the kitchen, he was finally appointed to manage the entire restaurant operation, including staffing and procurement.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
to control or deal with something like time, money, or a difficult problem.
to handle, monitor, or influence the use of resources or the progression of a specific situation.
Simple“It can be hard to manage your time when you have many different projects.”
In context“The financial advisor helped the family manage their investments more effectively during the period of market volatility.”
SynonymsAntonymsneglectmismanage - 03 A2 Elementary
to be able to do something even though it is difficult or you are tired.
to succeed in accomplishing a task or surviving a situation despite obstacles or limited means.
Simple“I was very tired, but I managed to finish my homework before bed.”
In context“Despite the heavy snow and the late hour, the hikers managed to reach the mountain shelter before the storm intensified.”
UsageOften used with 'to' followed by an infinitive verb.
PitfallI managed finishing the report on time. I managed to finish the report on time.When 'manage' means to succeed in doing something, it must be followed by 'to' and the infinitive, not the -ing form.
- 04 B1 Intermediate
to deal with a situation alone without needing extra help.
to function or carry on sufficiently without external assistance or additional resources.
Simple“Don't worry about me; I can manage on my own for a few days.”
In context“The elderly woman insisted she could manage in her own home, provided the social workers visited twice a week to assist with heavy chores.”
UsageOften used intransitively to describe a person's general state of coping.
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
to produce a small smile or a few words when you are feeling upset or embarrassed.
to produce a specific verbal or facial expression with visible effort, often while suppressed by emotion.
Simple“He was very sad, but he managed a small smile for his friends.”
In context“Exhausted by the long interrogation, the witness could only manage a few whispered words in response to the lawyer's final question.”
Usage manage saved · successfully manage · managed to get
From Early Modern English manage, menage, from Middle English manage, menage, from Old French manege (“the handling or training of a horse, horsemanship, riding, maneuvers, proceedings”), probably from Old Italian maneggiare (“to handle, manage, touch, treat”), from Vulgar Latin *manizāre (“handle”), from Latin manus (“hand”) + -izāre (verb-forming suffix). Doublet of manège. Compare typologically English handle; Russian руководи́ть (rukovodítʹ) (< рука́ (ruká)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.