To save this word, you'll need to log in.
Definition of get/have a handle on
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.
Comments on get/have a handle on
What made you want to look up get/have a handle on? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Original Meanings Quiz
- Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridgedWords at Play
Ask the Editors
Share get/have a handle on