"Come to grips with" is an idiom that means to confront an issue or problem and accept it. There are several synonyms for this phrase, such as "face up to," "grapple with," "deal with," "tackle," "address," or "confront." These words suggest that the individual is ready to work on a problem or challenge and take the necessary actions to resolve it. Other similar phrases include "accept the reality of," "embrace," "acknowledge," "handle," "come to terms with," and "get a handle on." These expressions convey the idea of accepting and taking charge of the situation.