Idioms

come to grips with | get to grips with

This page is about the idiom come to grips with | get to grips with

Meaning

If you come to grips with something, or get to grips with something, you deal with the problems or challenges it poses.

For example

  • The government is having trouble coming to grips with the problem of rising oil prices.

  • If Henry wants to be a successful executive, he'll have to get to grips with his fear of public speaking.

Note:
"Get to grips with" is more common in British English. "Come to grips with" is more common in American English.

Quick Quiz

The company's production manager hasn't come to grips with major issues relating to production, so he might

a. get a pay rise

b. get a promotion

c. lose his job
a) get a pay rise b) get a promotion c) lose his job

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey