grip on (something)
a grip on (something)
1. A good physical hold on something. In order to remove the bolt, I needed to get a grip on the wrench.
See also: grip, on
grip on (something)
2. A newfound understanding of a topic or concept. The teacher spent extra time going over the material in class because she wanted her students to have a good grip on the subject matter before they took the exam.
See also: grip, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
*a grip on something
1. and *a hold on something Lit. a good grasp on something. (*Typically: get ~ have ~ give someone ~.) Try to get a grip on the ropes and pull yourself up. You should get a hold on the knob and turn it firmly.
2. Fig. a thorough knowledge of some topic. (*Typically: get ~ have ~ give someone ~.) I need to have a grip on the basics of accounting. Try to get a hold on all the facts first.
See also: grip, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
get a grip on something
COMMON If you get a grip on a difficult situation, you start to understand it and take control of it. So far the country has failed to get a grip on its inflation rate. Note: You can also say that you take a grip on a situation with the same meaning. It is clear that the new leader has taken a grip on the party machine. Note: You can say that you keep a grip on a situation, meaning that you continue to understand and control it. Somehow, this corrupt band of politicians have managed to keep a grip on power.
See also: get, grip, on, something
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
- a grip on (something)
- get a grip
- get a grip on something
- have a grip on (something)
- in the grip of the grape
- lose (one's) grip on (someone or something)
- lose one’s grip
- have a firm grip on (someone or something)
- grip
- oneself