Synonyms like the verbs: deal, manage, handle, cope

[Greta]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #76 "Christmas Postman (3)", question 10

The only way to ......... with this one, Ted recommended, was to rush at the door, shove the letters through the door and go away as quickly as possible.

(a) tackle
(b) manage
(c) handle
(d) deal

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #76 "Christmas Postman (3)", answer 10

The only way to deal with this one, Ted recommended, was to rush at the door, shove the letters through the door and go away as quickly as possible.

Correct answer: (d) deal

Your answer was: correct
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Hi,

My question is once again about the synonyms like the verbs 'deal - manage - handle - cope'. How to define which of them to use? I thought that 'handle' is used if you manage to do something with hands but I saw the sentence 'a lawyer handles all my affairs' and now I'm confused. Could you explain?
Thanks in advance,

Greta

[Mister Micawber]

.
They all are roughly synonymous, Greta; only deal takes the preposition with, however:

The only way to tackle this one
The only way to manage this one
The only way to handle this one
The only way to deal with this one

Cope takes with too, but is not among the choices.
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Nenad11]

Does it mean that the first three verbs are transitive unlike the last which is intransitive because of the preposition which follows it?

[Mordant]

Nenad, that is correct. However, "deal" has transitive uses itself.

The failure of the new business dealt the family a hard blow.
He dealt the cards.

[Nenad11]

Does it mean that the verb deal is equal with the verb to afflict concerning the first example above?

[Mister Micawber]

Yes, 'deal a hard blow' = 'afflict seriously'.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's