come/get to grips with somebody/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!
get to grips with (someone or something)
To begin 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 get to grips with this new software update first. I've tried, but I just can't get to grips with Amy, she's totally out of control!
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.
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]
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.
get to grips with something
orcome to grips with something
COMMON If you get to grips with or come to grips with a problem or task, you start to deal with it effectively, usually by making an effort to understand it. The present government has completely failed to get to grips with our economic problems. I must come to grips with this new system.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
come (or get) to grips with
1 engage in physical combat with. 2 begin to deal with or understand.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.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).
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.