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Meaning of have a handle on | Babel Free

Verb CEFR C2

Definitions

  1. To understand or grasp.
    idiomatic
  2. To be in control of, to have power over.
    idiomatic

Examples

“To work⟳ efficiently, it's important to have⟳ a handle⟳ on the procedures involved.”
“But the other three problems had all grown out of assigning jobs to people he had no handle⟳ on.”
“We don't have⟳ to report⟳ to them anymore, but they still have⟳ a handle⟳ on our Justice Department and the police.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

have a hard time have a hard time of it have a head for have a head on one's shoulders have a heart have a jag on

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