come to grips with (someone or something)

come to grips with (someone or something)

To begin to or make an effort to understand, accept, and deal with a difficult or problematic person, thing, or situation. I should have the report ready for you by this afternoon, I just need to come to grips with this new software update first. I've tried, but I just can't come to grips with Amy, she's totally out of control!

See also: come, grip, to

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

come to grips with someone or something

Fig. to begin to deal with someone or something difficult or challenging in a sensible way. We must all come to grips with this tragedy. I cannot come to grips with Ed and his problems.

See also: come, grip, to

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

come to grips with

Confront squarely, deal decisively with, as in Her stories help the children come to grips with upsetting events. This term, sometimes put as get to grips with, employs grip in the sense of a "tight hold." [Mid-1900s]

See also: come, grip, to

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

come (or get) to grips with

1 engage in physical combat with. 2 begin to deal with or understand.

See also: come, grip, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

come/get to ˈgrips with somebody/something

begin to understand or to deal properly with a person, problem, subject, etc: The government has yet to get to grips with the problem of crime. ♢ I’m trying to come to grips with Polish grammar.

See also: come, get, grip, somebody, something, to

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

come to grips with

To confront squarely and attempt to deal decisively with: "He had to come to grips with the proposition" (Louis Auchincloss).

See also: come, grip, to

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.