a feel for (something)

an understanding or ability in a particular subject or activity.

I studied piano for a year, but I never really got a feel for it.

She has a real feel for language, so her books are a pleasure to read.

Usage notes: usually said about a natural skill that you cannot learn and often used with get or have, as in the examples

• hit someone up
• hit someone where it hurts
• hit someone where it hurts most
• hit something hard
• hits the fan
• hit stride
• hit the books
• hit the bottle
• hit the brakes
• hit the brick wall
• hit the buffers
• hit the ceiling
• hit the deck
• hit the dirt
• hit the ground running
• hit the hay
• hit the headlines
• hit the jackpot
• hit the mark
• hit the nail on the head
• hit the panic button
• hit the right note
• hit the road
• hit the roof
• hit the sack