Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
have a handle on. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
have a handle on, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
have a handle on in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
have a handle on you have here. The definition of the word
have a handle on will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
have a handle on, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Pronunciation
Verb
have a handle on (third-person singular simple present has a handle on, present participle having a handle on, simple past and past participle had a handle on)
- (idiomatic) To understand or grasp.
- To work efficiently, it's important to have a handle on the procedures involved.
- (idiomatic) To be in control of, to have power over.
2003, Tony Hillerman, The Sinister Pig, →ISBN, page 36:But the other three problems had all grown out of assigning jobs to people he had no handle on.
2011, H. Henrietta Stockel, Drumbeats from Mescalero, →ISBN, page 82:We don't have to report to them anymore, but they still have a handle on our Justice Department and the police.
See also