Phrase guide

get a grip

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To grip, as in: to take hold of, as with the hand.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To attain the understanding of a complex topic.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To come to one's senses and become more rational after having experienced a strong emotion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, imperative

Examples

  • He needs to get a grip if he's getting that angry over such a little thing.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

23 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: вземи се в ръце (vzemi se v rǎce) — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Bulgarian: успокой се (uspokoj se) — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Finnish: ryhdistäytyä — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Finnish: koota itsensä — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • French: se ressaisir — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • German: reiß dich zusammen — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Hebrew: תתאפס עַל עַצְמְךָ — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Italian: darsi una calmata — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Italian: riprendersi — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Japanese: 落ち着く — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Polish: brać się w garść — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Polish: wziąć się w garść — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Polish: ogarniać się — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Polish: ogarnąć się — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Portuguese: se liga — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Portuguese: cai na real — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Romanian: își băga mințile în cap — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Russian: взять себя́ в руки (vzjatʹ sebjá v ruki) — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Russian: собра́ться (sobrátʹsja) — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Spanish: controlarse — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Swedish: skärpa sig — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Ukrainian: взятися за голову (vzjatysja za holovu) — to return to a rational handling of reality
  • Ukrainian: зібратися (zibratysja) — to return to a rational handling of reality