grappling with

Meanings

1. 1phrasephrasal verb

   Trying hard to deal with or understand a difficult problem, situation, or idea.

   Grammar: Transitive; takes an object after 'with': grappling with a problem. The base form is 'grapple with'.

   Patterns

   • grappling with a problem
   • grappling with an issue
   • grappling with a question

   The government is grappling with rising unemployment.

   She spent months grappling with the decision to move abroad.

   Scientists are still grappling with the mystery of dark matter.

2. 2phrasephrasal verb

   Struggling physically with someone or something, especially in a fight or sport.

   Grammar: Transitive; used for physical struggle, e.g. grappling with an opponent.

   Patterns

   • grappling with an opponent
   • grappling with a wrestler

   The two wrestlers were grappling with each other for minutes.

   He was grappling with the intruder when the police arrived.

Common combinations

grappling with a problem

The team is grappling with a serious problem in the design.

grappling with the past

The novel is about a woman grappling with her past.

grappling with change

Many industries are grappling with rapid change.

grappling with emotions

He was grappling with feelings of guilt and anger.

Synonyms and how they differ

struggling with

Very similar, but 'struggling' often suggests more difficulty or lack of success.

wrestling with

Often used for mental or moral problems; 'grappling' can also be physical.

dealing with

More neutral and general; 'grappling' emphasizes the difficulty of the struggle.

Opposites

Word family

grapple verb

Base form: to struggle with something.

grapple with phrasal verb

Same meaning, used without -ing.

Commonly confused: grappling with or grasping?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “grappling with”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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