Definition
To deal with or manage (a difficult situation or challenge), typically implying some degree of struggle; in modern slang, 'cope' or 'coping mechanism' refers to managing stress or difficult emotions, sometimes dismissively.
Example Usage
She had to cope with her grief by staying busy, and Gen Z sometimes uses 'cope harder' to mock someone's coping strategy.
Origin
From Old French 'couper' (to cut or strike), from Latin 'colpus' (blow); the meaning evolved to suggest handling or managing a situation.
Fun Fact
In modern internet slang, 'cope' has become a way to dismiss someone's explanations or coping behaviors as inadequate or delusional.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
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See “Cope” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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