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
How to get a handle on credit card debt
Credit cards are also one of the most expensive ways to borrow money.
—
Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
For centuries, government leaders and public health experts have been trying to get a handle on New York City's rat community, which continues to grow in size.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Former President Hugo Chávez was never able to get a handle on crime, particularly violent crime, which increased exponentially under his government.
—Rebecca Hanson, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
Bitcoin and crypto market analysts are scrambling to get a handle on the bitcoin price decline and predict how much lower the bitcoin price and crypto market might crash.
—Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for get/have a handle on
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2025
For centuries, government leaders and public health experts have been trying to get a handle on New York City's rat community, which continues to grow in size.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Former President Hugo Chávez was never able to get a handle on crime, particularly violent crime, which increased exponentially under his government.
—Rebecca Hanson, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
Bitcoin and crypto market analysts are scrambling to get a handle on the bitcoin price decline and predict how much lower the bitcoin price and crypto market might crash.
—Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for get/have a handle on
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 30 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share