deal

Everyday

1. A deal is an agreement between people, often in buying, selling or swapping. tree →
2. To deal cards is to give them out to players. tree →
3. To deal with something is to take action to sort out a problem or job. tree →
4. To deal with someone is to have contact with them or handle how they behave. tree →
5. «A great deal» or «a good deal» means a lot. tree →
6. A deal can be a bargain, a good price. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life children make deals («I'll do the dishes if you dry»), deal cards in games, and learn to deal with feelings like anger. In maths, «a good deal» can mean comparing prices to find which is cheaper per item. In stories, «a deal with the devil» or a trickster's deal warns the reader of a trap. Phrases: «it's a deal», «make a deal», «deal with», «big deal», «a great deal of», «deal out», «no big deal».

Examples

• Let's make a deal: you help me, and I'll help you. tree →
• It's your turn to deal the cards. tree →
• Deal out seven cards to each player. tree →
• We learned how to deal with anger. tree →
• The shop has a great deal on apples: three for one dollar. tree →
• She spent a great deal of time on her project. tree →
• It's no big deal if you spill a little water. tree →
• Teachers deal with lots of questions every day. tree →

Note

Irregular past: dealt (pronounced «delt»), not «dealed». «Deal with» takes an object: «deal with the problem». «Big deal!» said sarcastically means «that's not important». In maths problems, «a better deal» means a lower price for the same amount.

In Jewish tradition

It means to treat or behave towards someone, for good or ill.

Interpretation. "Deal falsely" is a ban on cheating. The tradition treats honest dealing in business as part of holiness.

Examples

• And they said: 'Should one deal with our sister as with a harlot?' (Torah GEN.34.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard. (Torah EXO.23.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Ye shall not steal; neither shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another. (Torah LEV.19.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Deal courageously, and the LORD be with the good.' (Writings 2CH.19.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Wherefore are all they secure that deal very treacherously? (Prophets JER.12.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• The treacherous deal treacherously; yea, the treacherous deal very treacherously. (Prophets ISA.24.16, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Irregular past: dealt (pronounced «delt»), not «dealed». «Deal with» takes an object: «deal with the problem». «Big deal!» said sarcastically means «that's not important». In maths problems, «a better deal» means a lower price for the same amount.