come to grips

come to grips (third-person singular simple present comes to grips, present participle coming to grips, simple past came to grips, past participle come to grips)

1. (intransitive, of two opponents) To confront each other decisively.

   The armies finally came to grips at Stalingrad.

2. (intransitive) To attempt to face or resolve an internal contradiction or difficulty.

   It was not until five years after graduation that she finally came to grips and began a career.

   The country is coming to grips and accepting its responsibilities.

• (to confront directly): get to grips (UK)

• come to grips with