Getting to grips

Posted by Victoria S Dennis on May 20, 2006

In Reply to: Getting to grips posted by ESC on May 20, 2006

: : what does "getting to grips" mean?

: I haven't heard that phrase. Coming to grips with a situation or coming to grips with a problem. That means understanding and addressing the situation/problem. Giving it your full attention.

It's a metaphor from wrestling; when two wrestlers get hold of each other and start to fight, they "come to grips". To "grapple with" a problem contains similar imagery.