get a handle on

VERB

cope

Synonyms

STRONGEST

confront endure get by grapple handle suffer survive wrestle

STRONG

buffet deal dispatch encounter face hack struggle tangle tussle weather

WEAK

battle with carry on hack it hold one's own live with make go of it make it make out make the grade pit oneself against rise to occasion struggle through

Antonyms

STRONG

hold keep refuse retreat surrender yield

VERB

handle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

administer conduct control deal with discuss employ exercise govern operate play serve supervise take treat use utilize work

STRONG

advise apply bestow command direct dispense dominate exploit guide maneuver manipulate ply steer swing wield

WEAK

behave toward call the signals cope with cut the mustard hack it make out make the grade run things

Antonyms

STRONGEST

ignore neglect

STRONG

leave alone misguide mislead

WEAK

disregard mismanage misuse

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I'm telling you now in three or four years you're going to triple that cost if you don't get a handle on this."

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

The thinking went that they needed a year of adjustment to get a handle on their coursework.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Morgan’s leadership is trying to get a handle on the fast-growing world of prediction markets, where regulation is still taking shape and insider trading often goes unchecked.

From Barron's • Mar. 17, 2026

Conductors struggle to get a handle on its mysteries and intricacies.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

The news media had begun to circle around the story early on, but they couldn’t seem to get a handle on it, and usamriid was trying to keep it that way.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

get a handle on

Example Sentences

Related Words