Come to grips with
Meaning
To understand and deal effectively with a difficult problem, challenge, or reality.
Origin
The vivid imagery of "come to grips with" transports us to the wrestling mat or a close-quarters combat scenario. In these physical contests, to "get a grip" on an opponent means to physically grasp them firmly, gaining control and preventing their escape or counter-attack. It's about securing a hold, literally bringing the struggle to a point where one can begin to effectively deal with or overcome the other. This potent metaphor from the world of physical confrontation seamlessly entered the lexicon, evolving to describe the mental and emotional effort required to understand and master a difficult challenge or accept a tough reality, just as a wrestler might finally secure a dominant hold.
Examples
- She needed to come to grips with the reality of her new job responsibilities before she could move forward.
- The team struggled to come to grips with the unexpected project delays, but eventually found a solution.