phrasal verb / idiom · informal

get a grip (on)

UK/ɡet ə ɡrɪp ɒn/US/ɡɛt ə ɡrɪp ɑn/get a·GRIP (on)

speakingtask2

to take control of your emotions or a difficult situation

Examples

You need to get a grip on your nerves before the interview.

If we get a grip on costs, the company will survive.

After panicking at first, she managed to get a grip and finish the presentation.

Band 8 sentence

When deadlines pile up, it's crucial to get a grip on priorities rather than panic.

Collocations

  • get a grip on yourself
  • get a grip on costs/situation

Word family

grip noungripping adjective

Common mistakes

get gripget a grip

You must get a grip yourself.You must get a grip on yourself.

Say it for a higher band

5calm down6pull yourself together7+get a grip (on)

Synonyms

pull yourself together

Easily confused

pull yourself together

He finally pulled himself together and carried on with the speech.

Related words

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In get …

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