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Antonyms for get a handle on


Grammar : Verb
Spell : han-dl
Phonetic Transcription : ˈhæn dl



Definition of get a handle on

Origin :
  • Old English handle, formed from hand (n.) with instrumental suffix -le indicating a tool in the way thimble was formed from thumb. The slang sense of "nickname" is first recorded 1870, originally U.S., from earlier expressions about adding a handle to (one's) name, i.e. a title such as Mister or Sir, attested from 1833. To fly off the handle (1833) is a figurative reference to an ax head (to be off the handle "be excited" is recorded from 1825, American English). To get a handle on "get control of" is first recorded 1972.
  • As in cope : verb manage, contend
  • As in handle : verb manage, take care of

Synonyms for get a handle on

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019