get to grips with

The idiom "get to grips with" is commonly used in British English to describe tackling a problem or understanding something challenging.

πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US Voice:
πŸ‡¬πŸ‡§ UK Voice:

Definition

B2General

(idiomatic, chiefly UK)To start dealing with a difficult situation or problem effectively.

Example

  • She finally got to grips with the new software after a week of training.
  • It's time to get to grips with the financial issues facing the company.

B2Learning

(idiomatic, chiefly UK)To become familiar with and proficient in using or doing something.

Example

  • He needs to get to grips with the basics of French grammar before the exam.
  • It took her a while to get to grips with the new procedures at work.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "get to grips with":

come to gripsget a gripget one's arms aroundhave a handle oncome to terms withwrap one's head aroundget hold ofget withcotton on toget one's hands onget on tolearn the ropesget to knowlay hold ofget stuck intoget on withlay hands onget totake holdget with the programput one's hands onbe seized ofget overdeal withget intoget atreckon withget onlay a glove onsink one's teeth intomake head or tail ofget the better ofget one's eye inget about