mishandle

/ˌmɪsˈhændl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌmɪsˈhændl/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)mis-ˈhan-dᵊl/ (ame, mw)

mishandle — verb

  • mishandlepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • mishandleshe / she / it
  • mishandledpast simple
  • mishandling-ing form

1. to manage a job, problem, or situation so poorly that things go wrong, usually b

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

to manage a job, problem, or situation so poorly that things go wrong, usually because the person lacks the skill, judgment, or attention the task needed

例句

The new principal mishandled the parents' complaints and ended up resigning within a month.

mishandle + noun (complaints / criticism)

Sirin admits she mishandled the merger talks by rushing the lawyers to sign too early.

mishandle + abstract process (talks, negotiations)

同義詞
  • bungle

    stronger; emphasises a clumsy or embarrassing failure

  • botch

    informal; suggests sloppy execution on a specific task

  • fumble

    softer; suggests hesitating or losing control of something delicate

  • mismanage

    near-synonym for ongoing oversight (a budget, a team) rather than a single incident

反義詞

文法句型

mishandle + noun (situation, case, crisis, money)

用法筆記

Object is usually something the subject was responsible for managing — a case, situation, crisis, account, negotiation, sum of money. The criticism is about competence or judgment, not moral wrongdoing.

常見錯誤

❌Andrés mishandled to send the file.
✅Andrés mishandled the file delivery.
💡mishandle takes a noun object, not a to-infinitive.
❌The police mishandled at the protest.
✅The police mishandled the protest.
💡needs a direct object naming what was managed.

2. to touch, carry, or hold a person, animal, or object in a way that is too rough,

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to touch, carry, or hold a person, animal, or object in a way that is too rough, careless, or violent, often causing physical harm or damage

例句

The courier company apologised after staff mishandled Yael's antique violin during the move.

mishandle + fragile object

Animal welfare officers warned the farmer not to mishandle the calves at feeding time.

mishandle + animal

同義詞
  • manhandle

    near-synonym specifically for rough handling of people; stronger physical force

  • maltreat

    formal; covers sustained mistreatment rather than a single rough incident

  • abuse

    much stronger; implies intentional and serious harm

反義詞
  • handle

    to touch or carry with appropriate care

文法句型

mishandle + noun (person, animal, parcel)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about physical contact (rough touching, carrying, restraining), not about decisions or strategy. The object is typically a body, an animal, or a fragile item.

常見錯誤

❌Don't mishandle with the baby.
✅Don't mishandle the baby.
💡no preposition before the direct object.