come to grips with: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘come to grips with’ mean?
The idiom come to grips with means to accept and deal with a difficult or challenging situation, typically by facing it directly and attempting to understand or overcome it.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "take something in stride" means to handle or deal with something difficult or challenging in a calm and relaxed manner, without being overly affected or upset by it.
The idiom "get to grips with" means to become familiar with or understand something difficult or challenging. It implies taking control and actively engaging with the subject matter in order to overcome any obstacles or difficulties.
The idiom "face down" means to confront or deal with a difficult situation or challenge directly and without hesitation.
The idiom "face facts" means to accept or confront the truth of a situation, even if it is difficult or unpleasant.
The idiom "come to one's senses" means to start thinking or behaving rationally or reasonably after a period of confusion or irrationality.
The idiom "come to oneself" means to regain consciousness or recover from a state of confusion, shock, or illness.
Meaning: To have a serious and honest conversation with someone, often with the intention of confronting and resolving issues, or encouraging a change in behavior or attitude.
The idiom "come to Jesus" means to have a moment of realization or confrontation that prompts a person to face the truth or acknowledge their mistakes.
The idiom "come to grief" means to experience a failure or a bad outcome, often as a result of one's own actions or decisions.
The idiom "come to blows" means to engage in a physical fight or altercation.
Deciphering the Enigma
The idiom "get to grips with" is closely related to "come to grips with" and carries a similar meaning. It also refers to confronting or dealing with a difficult situation, but it may emphasize a more active and aggressive approach. When someone says they need to "get to grips with" something, they are expressing a sense of urgency and determination in addressing the issue at hand. It implies a need to firmly grasp and understand the problem in order to find a solution.
The idiom "come to a head" is another related expression that can be linked to "come to grips with." It means that a situation or problem has reached a critical point or a climax. Just as "come to grips with" suggests actively addressing a problem, "come to a head" implies that the situation has escalated and requires immediate attention and resolution.
The idiom "catch on" is also related to "come to grips with." It means to understand or grasp something, particularly a new concept, idea, or trend. When someone says they need to "catch on" to something, they are expressing a desire to comprehend and fully comprehend it. This can be seen as a step in the process of "coming to grips with" something, as it involves gaining understanding and acquiring the necessary knowledge to effectively engage with a particular issue or topic.
"come to one's senses" is yet another related idiom that can be associated with "come to grips with." It means to regain one's rationality or clarity of thought after a period of confusion or poor judgment. When someone says they have "come to their senses," they are admitting that they were previously misguided or mistaken and have now recognized the error of their ways. This can be seen as a form of "coming to grips with" one's own actions or behavior, as it involves acknowledging and rectifying a past mistake.
Lastly, the idiom "come to Jesus" is related to "come to grips with" in a more figurative sense. It is a colloquial expression that means to face or confront the harsh realities of a situation, often involving a moment of truth or self-reflection. When someone says they need to "come to Jesus," they are expressing a need for personal introspection and honesty. This idiom can also be seen as a part of the larger process of "coming to grips with" oneself and taking responsibility for one's actions or decisions.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom come to grips with can be used in a sentence:
1. After years of denial, she finally came to grips with her addiction and sought help.
2. The team had to come to grips with the fact that they weren't going to win the championship this year.
3. It took him a while to come to grips with the new technology, but now he's using it with ease.
More "Understanding" idioms
