2. (colloquial).—To use; to make use of; to manage.
1606. Chapman, Gentleman Usher, iii., 5. Now let the sport begin: I think my love will handle him as well as I have done.
1811. Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. Handle. To know how to handle one’s fists; to be skilful in the art of boxing.
1836. Dickens, Pickwick, ii., 7. Smart chap that cabman—handled his fives well.
1892. Henley and Stevenson, Admiral Guinea, ii., 5. Commander, you handled him like a babby, kept the weather gauge, and hulled him every shot.
To handle the ribbons, verb. phr. (common).—To drive.
1857. Moncrieff, Bashful Man, ii. 4. Shouldn’t have any objection in life, squire, to let you handle the ribands for a stage or two, but four-in-hand, you know, requires——.
1872. Evening Standard, 10 Aug. The Princess of Wales is expected, and her Royal Highness has several times during the week driven through the town in an open phaeton, drawn by four beautiful ponies, and she appears to handle the ribbons in a very skilful manner.
1891. N. Gould, Double Event, p. 198. It was agreed Marston should handle the ribbons. [[259]]
1892. Milliken, ’Arry Ballads, p. 32. He ’andled the ribbings to rights.