When you need to understand or deal with something difficult, you might say you need to "get to grips" with it. However, there are many other expressions you can use to convey the same idea. For example, you could say you need to "tackle" the issue or "grapple with" the problem. You might also need to "wrap your head around" the concept or "come to terms with" the situation. Other synonyms for "getting to grips" with something include "wrestling with," "mastering," "conquering," or "taking on." No matter which phrase you choose, the goal is the same: to overcome a challenge and gain a deeper understanding of whatever you're trying to deal with.