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Showing results for get a handle on.
Definitions

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.

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

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Leaders at the largest U.S. bank are 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. 16, 2026

"Once I get a handle on where they're coming from, I can then answer their questions," says Lorna.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

Highway 395 in Mono County was closed from Tom’s Place to Benton Crossing Road as fire crews worked to get a handle on the blaze, according to the California Department of Transportation.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 13, 2025

Did they recoil in horror and say, “Wait a minute, we've got to halt the process, or at least slow it down until we can get a handle on how to prevent these effects”? Nope.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann