come to grips with
Tackle a problem
Come to grips with means to confront and deal with something difficult or challenging.
The phrase suggests engaging directly rather than avoiding: She finally came to grips with her father's death.
It can also mean to understand something complex: I'm still coming to grips with the new software.
The image is of grasping something firmly, as wrestlers grip each other.
- face up toAccept and address directly
- cope withManage a difficulty
- confrontFace squarely, address directly
- take care ofManage or look after
- faceHead's anterior surface
square up to · face the music · deal with · get a handle on · acknowledge · reckon with · own up · own up to · bite the bullet · tackle · undertake · grapple · grasp · comprehend · manage · handle · analyze · address
come to grips withavoid
Stay away from
evade · ignore · shy away from · sidestep · bury one's head in the sand
come, grip, become, coming, overcome, becoming, gripping, comeback, comes