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

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One of the best ways to get a handle on a new travel destination is through its cuisine. Sofia Perez, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 Here are three ways to get a handle on your debt despite economic headwinds, according to experts. Ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 5 July 2025 The Simi Valley Police Department urged members of the public to avoid the area as fire crews worked to get a handle on the blaze. Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2025 School districts across the state are spending money on tools like THC and vape detectors to try to get a handle on this, said Chris Lagoni, executive director of the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for get/have a handle 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. 2025.

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