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 Once neuroscientists get a handle on how neuronal networks produce consciousness, this knowledge can be used to understand conscious experiences—or the lack thereof—in inorganic networks. —

Lindsey Laughlin, Ars Technica, 10 July 2024 The slaying comes as cops try to get a handle on an uptick in murders and assaults in and around Times Square. —

Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 9 July 2024 Efforts to try to get a handle on how many people may have been infected have been stymied because in many cases farmers have refused to allow public health workers on their properties to talk to and test their workers. —

Helen Branswell, STAT, 1 July 2024 Crews had the Basin fire 17% contained after days of being unable to get a handle on the fire. —

Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for get/have a handle on

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.

Dictionary Entries Near get/have a handle on

get/go back to (the) basics

get/have a handle on

get/have a line on

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“Get/have a handle on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get%2Fhave%20a%20handle%20on. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.

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