get to grips with something
Meaning: To start dealing seriously with a problem.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The new manager is still getting to grips with the budget.”
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: From wrestling, where fighters seize each other in a grip. The phrase is chiefly British, common from the 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Swedish: få bukt med — literally: to get a loop around
More idioms — Body & Senses
- get one's hands on something — To obtain something, often with difficulty.
- have one's head screwed on — To be sensible and practical.
- put on a brave face — To look cheerful or confident while feeling otherwise.
- throw up one's hands — To show that one gives up, in despair or frustration.
- lose one's head — To stop thinking clearly because of panic, anger or passion.
- lose face — To lose respect or be humiliated in public.
More English idioms
- the law of the jungle — A situation where the strongest or most ruthless win.
- dig one's own grave — To cause one's own downfall.
- wouldn't hurt a fly — Is very gentle and harmless.
- in borrowed plumes — Pretending to qualities or achievements that belong to someone else.
- come in handy — To be useful when needed.
- like two peas in a pod — Very similar in looks or character.