1
general::
Confront squarely, deal decisively with, as in Her stories help the children come to grips with upsetting events. This term, sometimes put as get to grips with, employs grip in the sense of a "tight hold." [Mid1900s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): come to grips with someone or something
Fig. to begin to deal with someone or something difficult or challenging in a sensible way. • We must all come to grips with this tragedy. • I cannot come to grips with Ed and his problems.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs