get/have a handle on
idiom
informal
: to understand and be able to deal with (something)
I can't quite get a handle on the way this machine works.
It seemed like she had a good handle on the situation.
Examples of get/have a handle on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
School districts are trying to get a handle on the technology.
—
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
And the creators have a handle on every moving part.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
Amazon hasn’t managed to get a handle on in-person retail despite buying the upscale, popular Whole Foods chain back in 2017.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024
Moreover, the move comes at a time when other retailers look to get a handle on their vanishing inventory.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2024
With that said, to get a handle on attention residue, implement focused work blocks, set boundaries around technology usage, and schedule uninterrupted time for deep work.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
With that in mind, businesses need to make sure their IT and cyber experts have a handle on how AI is influencing the space and consider hiring additional support if needed.
—Melissa Russell, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Some schools are also trying to get a handle on the sudden influx of e-bikes on and around campus, including some requiring a permit to ride one to school.
—Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
Nedeljkovic made 28 saves but couldn’t get a handle on Pelech's winner.
—Will Graves, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024
Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2024
And the creators have a handle on every moving part.
—Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Apr. 2024
Amazon hasn’t managed to get a handle on in-person retail despite buying the upscale, popular Whole Foods chain back in 2017.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 2 Apr. 2024
Moreover, the move comes at a time when other retailers look to get a handle on their vanishing inventory.
—Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2024
With that said, to get a handle on attention residue, implement focused work blocks, set boundaries around technology usage, and schedule uninterrupted time for deep work.
—Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
With that in mind, businesses need to make sure their IT and cyber experts have a handle on how AI is influencing the space and consider hiring additional support if needed.
—Melissa Russell, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Some schools are also trying to get a handle on the sudden influx of e-bikes on and around campus, including some requiring a permit to ride one to school.
—Laylan Connelly, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
Nedeljkovic made 28 saves but couldn’t get a handle on Pelech's winner.
—Will Graves, USA TODAY, 21 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'get/have a handle on.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Get/have a handle on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%2Fhave%20a%20handle%20on. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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