From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishget a handle on somethingget a handle on somethingUNDERSTANDto start to understand a situation, subject etc It’s difficult to get a handle on how widespread this problem is. → handle
Examples from the Corpus
get a handle on something• At least they have a handle on what caused the power failure.• Sun had difficulty getting a handle on the actual yield situation because week-to-week data on the silicon lots varied, Gadre said.• From these activities they really get a handle on where I want them to go.• Daily at five or six a. m. Mr Sammler woke up in Manhattan and tried to get a handle on the situation.• You figure you've got a handle on all but the most aberrant human behaviour. 