to understand well · to be familiar with · to know how to navigate
Imagine you've just spent a week exploring a new city, trying out public transport, finding hidden cafes, and chatting with locals. Now you feel like you really 'get' the place! 🎉 This expression is perfect for showing you've moved beyond just being a tourist to genuinely understanding how things work. It's like having a secret map in your head! 🗺️✨
💡 You can use this for cities, specific neighborhoods, or even complex systems like a city's public transportation. For example, "I finally have a good handle on the Tokyo subway system!" It implies a level of comfort and expertise, not just basic knowledge.
When would you most appropriately use the expression 'to have a good handle on [a place]'? A. You just arrived in a new city and are completely confused by the public transport. B. You are looking at a map of a city you've never visited before. C. You've been living in a city for months and can confidently recommend the best local spots and navigate easily.