a grip on

a grip on (oneself)

Control of one's reactions or emotions. After losing her job, Sarah needed to calm down and get a grip on herself in order to drive home safely. You're not going to be able to think clearly until you get a grip on yourself. After I learned I wasn't getting the promotion, I had to get a grip of myself before going back to my desk.

See also: grip, on

grip on (something)

1. A good physical hold on something. In order to remove the bolt, I needed to get a grip on the wrench. Make sure you've got a grip on your end of the couch before we try to lift it. That guitar is heavier than you think, so you need to have a grip on the handle before you pick up the case.

2. A firm or clear understanding of something. The teacher spent extra time going over the material in class because she wanted her students to have a good grip on the subject matter before they took the exam. Now that I have a grip on how to operate the new system, it's made my job much easier. Woo! I think I've finally gotten a grip on polynomials!

3. Dominance or control over something. The company has lost its grip on the smartphone market in recent years. The dictator has maintained a tight grip on the small country for nearly three decades. I feel like I'm losing my grip on my sanity.

See also: grip, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

*a grip on something

 

1. and *a hold on something Lit. a good grasp on something. (*Typically: get ~ have ~ give someone ~.) Try to get a grip on the ropes and pull yourself up. You should get a hold on the knob and turn it firmly.

2. Fig. a thorough knowledge of some topic. (*Typically: get ~ have ~ give someone ~.) I need to have a grip on the basics of accounting. Try to get a hold on all the facts first.

See also: grip, on

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.