have a handle on (something)

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have a handle on (something)

To have a firm, clear understanding or determination of something. I hope everyone has a handle on the material, as you'll be tested on it next week. I thought I had a pretty good handle on English idioms, but I don't understand this one at all!

See also: handle, have, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

get/have a handle on somebody/something

(informal) become/be familiar with and so understand somebody/something: I can’t really get a handle on the situation here. What’s happening?

See also: get, handle, have, on, somebody, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017