come to grips with (someone or something)

come to grips with (someone or something)

To begin to or make an effort to understand, accept, and deal with a difficult or problematic person, thing, or situation. I should have the report ready for you by this afternoon, I just need to come to grips with this new software update first. I've tried, but I just can't come to grips with Amy, she's totally out of control!
See also: come, grip
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

come to grips with someone or something

Fig. to begin to deal with someone or something difficult or challenging in a sensible way. We must all come to grips with this tragedy. I cannot come to grips with Ed and his problems.
See also: come, grip
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

come to grips with

Confront squarely, deal decisively with, as in Her stories help the children come to grips with upsetting events. This term, sometimes put as get to grips with, employs grip in the sense of a "tight hold." [Mid-1900s]
See also: come, grip
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

come (or get) to grips with

1 engage in physical combat with. 2 begin to deal with or understand.
See also: come, grip
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

come/get to ˈgrips with somebody/something

begin to understand or to deal properly with a person, problem, subject, etc: The government has yet to get to grips with the problem of crime. I’m trying to come to grips with Polish grammar.
See also: come, get, grip, somebody, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

come to grips with

To confront squarely and attempt to deal decisively with: "He had to come to grips with the proposition" (Louis Auchincloss).
See also: come, grip
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • go down the rabbit hole
  • fan
  • be in a cleft stick
  • a long row to hoe
  • a tough row to hoe
  • tough row to hoe
  • in a cleft stick