Come to Grips With: Learn what the means through example!

What does “Come to Grips With” mean?

"Come to Grips With" means to accept and deal with a difficult or challenging situation.

What context can I use the in?

Example

After months of denial, she finally came to grips with her addiction.

Example

He struggled to come to grips with the loss of his job.

Example

It took him some time to come to grips with the reality of the situation

Is “Come to Grips With” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Come to Grips With” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Come to Grips With” effectively in context?

You can use "Come to Grips With" when someone needs to accept and confront a difficult or challenging situation. It emphasizes the need to face the reality and deal with it. For example, if a friend is in denial about a failing relationship, you might say, 'It's time to come to grips with the fact that it's not working out.'

• 1. Personal Relationships

  After months of denial, she finally came to grips with the fact that her marriage was over.

• 2. Loss or Change

  He struggled to come to grips with the sudden loss of his best friend.

• 3. Reality Check

  It took him some time to come to grips with the reality of the financial crisis.

Similar phrases to “Come to Grips With”:

Face the reality

To accept and confront the truth or facts of a situation

Example

He needed to face the reality that his dream job was not going to happen.

Deal with it

To handle or manage a difficult situation

Example

She had no choice but to deal with the consequences of her actions.

Accept the truth

To acknowledge and come to terms with the reality of a situation

Example

He needed to accept the truth that his relationship was over.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Come to Grips With” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Come to Grips With" is unknown.

Is “Come to Grips With” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Come to Grips With" is a common expression in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe the process of accepting and dealing with difficult situations or emotions.

What tone does “Come to Grips With” have?

"Come to Grips With" conveys a tone of acceptance and acknowledgment. It suggests that the person needs to face the reality and take action to handle the situation.

Can “Come to Grips With” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "Come to Grips With" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that describes the process of accepting and dealing with challenging circumstances. You can use it in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as presentations, meetings, or professional correspondence.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She finally came to grips with her addiction and sought help.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "come to grips with"!' to imply readiness to face a challenging situation.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

• accept and confront
• handle and cope with
• face and tackle
• acknowledge and address

Antonyms

• deny and avoid
• ignore and evade
• escape and elude
• reject and resist