conjure with

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Johnleo  #519161  Mon, 26 May 08 03:59 PM
 I am still trying to conjure with one of Darren MacWarren's soap characters, Father Roger.

 It's a movie review introducing Darren MacWarren played by Jason Gann. MacWarren is a TV soap actor in the movie. 

 conjure up: chiefly British : to treat or regard as important <Victor Hugo is a name to conjure with.>

 That is the only entry for conjure with in the dictionary

What does it mean in the sentence?

Thanks.  

  
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optilang  #519168  Mon, 26 May 08 04:13 PM
 I'm still trying to work out/understand one of the characters
  
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RayH  #519200  Mon, 26 May 08 05:04 PM
Is it possible this is an Australianism (for lack of a better word)? Given the context I agree with optilang's interpretation but I've never heard this particular formulation before.
  
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optilang  #519206  Mon, 26 May 08 05:13 PM
 Perhaps 'to consider' is a more accurate definition of to conjure with

I conjured with the idea of moving back home = I played with the idea = I considered the idea 

I cannot verify any Australian link, sorry

  
RayH  #519230  Mon, 26 May 08 05:40 PM
The reason I suggested an Australian connection is that the Web site this comes from is Australian and the movie being reviewed is Australian. Here is the link if anyone is interested.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/movietime/stories/2008/2243636.htm

How about "come to grips with" as an alternative expression? A quote from the review in question: "I am still trying to [come to grips with] conjure with one of Darren MacWarren's soap characters, Father Roger. He wears a dog collar and a moustache and we see him only in brief clips."
  
Johnleo  #519449  Tue, 27 May 08 06:27 AM
 So it is because of the strange appearance of Father Roger that she comes to grips with the character and tries hard to understand him.

 

  
Johnleo  #519876  Wed, 28 May 08 04:51 AM
Thanks
  
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