come to grips with

come to grips with  {v. phr.}

1. To get hold of (another wrestler) in close fighting.

After circling around for a minute, the two wrestlers came to grips with each other.

2. To struggle seriously with (an idea or problem).

Mr. Blake's leaching helps students come to grips with the important ideas in the history lesson.

Harry cannot be a leader, because he never quite comes to grips with a problem.

Compare: COME TO TERMS (2).