come to grips with

phrase

Synonyms of come to grips with

: to meet or deal with firmly, frankly, or straightforwardly

come to grips with the unemployment problem

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of come to grips with was in 1898

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Come to grips with.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/come%20to%20grips%20with. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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