- 1 [transitive, intransitive] to succeed in doing something, especially something difficult manage something In spite of his disappointment, he managed a weak smile. I don't know exactly how we'll manage it, but we will, somehow. Can you manage another piece of cake? (= eat one) manage (to do something) We managed to get to the airport in time. How did you manage to persuade him? (humorous) He always manages to say the wrong thing. They managed to find a place to stay. We couldn't have managed without you. ‘Need any help?’ ‘No, thanks. I can manage.’ Grammar Pointcan / could / be able to / manage Can is used to say that somebody knows how to do something: Can you play the piano? It is also used with verbs of seeing, noticing, etc: I can hear someone calling, and with passive infinitives: The podcast can be downloaded here. Can or be able to are used to say that something is possible or that somebody has the opportunity to do something: Can you/are you able to come on Saturday? You use be able to to form the future and perfect tenses and the infinitive: You’ll be able to get a taxi outside the station.I haven’t been able to get much work done today.She’d love to be able to play the piano. Could is used to talk about what someone was generally able to do in the past: Our daughter could walk when she was nine months old. You use was/were able to or manage (but not could) when you are saying that something was possible on a particular occasion in the past: I was able to/managed to find some useful books in the library.I could find some useful books in the library. In negative sentences, could not can also be used: We weren’t able to/didn’t manage to/couldn’t get there in time. Could is also used with this meaning with verbs of seeing, noticing, understanding, etc: I could see there was something wrong. Could have is used when you are saying that it was possible for somebody to do something in the past but they did not try: I could have won the game but decided to let her win. More Like This Verbs usually followed by infinitives afford, agree, appear, arrange, attempt, beg, choose, consent, decide, expect, fail, happen, hesitate, hope, intend, learn, manage, mean, neglect, offer, prepare, pretend, promise, refuse, swear, try, want, wishSee worksheet. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbnicely, perfectly well, very well, … verb + managebe able to, can, have to, … prepositionon, without phrasesmanage on your own See full entry deal with problems
- 2 [intransitive] to be able to solve your problems, deal with a difficult situation, etc. synonym cope She's 82 and can't manage on her own any more. manage with/without somebody/something How do you manage without a car? I don’t know how she manages on her own with four kids. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbnicely, perfectly well, very well, … verb + managebe able to, can, have to, … prepositionon, without phrasesmanage on your own See full entry money/time/information
- 3 [intransitive] manage (on something) to be able to live without having much money He has to manage on less than £100 a week. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbnicely, perfectly well, very well, … verb + managebe able to, can, have to, … prepositionon, without phrasesmanage on your own See full entry
- 4 [transitive] manage something to use money, time, information, etc. in a sensible way Don't tell me how to manage my affairs. a computer program that helps you manage data efficiently Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbnicely, perfectly well, very well, … verb + managebe able to, can, have to, … prepositionon, without phrasesmanage on your own See full entry
- 5 [transitive] manage something to be able to do something at a particular time Let's meet up again—can you manage next week sometime? business/team
- 6 [transitive, intransitive] manage (something) to control or be in charge of a business, a team, an organization, etc. to manage a factory/bank/hotel/soccer team to manage a department/project We need people who are good at managing. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbeffectively, efficiently, properly, … verb + managebe difficult to, be easy to, learn (how) to, … See full entry See related entries: Describing work, Running a business control
- 7 [transitive] manage somebody/something to keep somebody/something under control; to be able to deal with somebody/something It's like trying to manage an unruly child. Can you manage that suitcase? Oxford Collocations Dictionary adverbeffectively, efficiently, properly, … verb + managebe difficult to, be easy to, learn (how) to, … See full entry Word Originmid 16th cent. (in the sense ‘put (a horse) through the paces of the manège’): from Italian maneggiare, based on Latin manus ‘hand’.Extra examples Can you manage? He easily managed to disarm his attacker. He skilfully/skillfully managed to keep the aircraft on the runway. I can manage perfectly well on my own, thank you. I can manage without a dishwasher. I don’t know how they manage on only £100 a week. Paul barely managed to stifle a chuckle. She was finding it difficult to manage financially. The children were very difficult to manage. The condition can be easily managed by simple dietary adjustments. We will actively manage your portfolio to maximize the return on your investment. We’ll just have to manage somehow. You need to learn how to manage your time effectively. an exchange rate system that will be tightly managed by the central bank He has no experience of managing a football team. I don’t know how she manages on her own with four kids. I don’t know exactly how we’ll manage it, but we will, somehow. I really liked the chapter about how to manage stress. It won’t be easy, but I’m sure we’ll manage somehow. It’s like trying to manage an unruly child. It’s a computer program that helps you to manage data efficiently. Many find it difficult to manage on their weekly income. Organizers are looking for someone to manage the project. The hotel is run/managed by two brothers. The units in some areas are poorly maintained and badly managed. They have learnt to successfully manage their diabetes. We need a new approach to managing our hospitals.
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BrE BrE//ˈmænɪdʒ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈmænɪdʒ//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they manage BrE BrE//ˈmænɪdʒ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈmænɪdʒ//
he / she / it manages BrE BrE//ˈmænɪdʒɪz//; NAmE NAmE//ˈmænɪdʒɪz//
past simple managed BrE BrE//ˈmænɪdʒd//; NAmE NAmE//ˈmænɪdʒd//
past participle managed BrE BrE//ˈmænɪdʒd//; NAmE NAmE//ˈmænɪdʒd//
-ing form managing BrE BrE//ˈmænɪdʒɪŋ//; NAmE NAmE//ˈmænɪdʒɪŋ//
Describing work, Running a businessCheck pronunciation: manage
