get the hang of (something)

To begin having or acquire a general sense of how to do or use something or how something operates; to become familiar with something. I know it's a little tricky getting the hang of the machine, but just keep practicing and you'll get it. I'm starting to get the hang of how this computer works. Don't worry, we'll start you out on some easy tasks so you get the hang of the job.

get the hang of something

INFORMAL

COMMON If you get the hang of an activity, you learn how to do it well. Once you get the hang of it, reading a good play can be a delightful and challenging experience. After a few months you start getting the hang of the language and expressing yourself quite well.

get the hang of something

learn how to operate or do something. informal

1990 Roddy Doyle The Snapper He was pretending to time them…because he couldn't get the hang of the stop-watch Bertie'd got him.

get the ˈhang of something

(informal) learn or begin to understand how to do, use, etc. something: I haven’t got the hang of how to use the coffee-making machine yet. ♢ It took him a long time to get the hang of all the irregular verbs.