Grasp the nettle

If you grasp the nettle, you ____ with a problem.


  • Total voters
    52

Tdol

No Longer With Us (RIP)
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Nov 13, 2002
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British English
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UK
Current Location
Japan
You can check your answer here.
 

Charlie Bernstein

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Jan 28, 2009
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Other
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English
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United States
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United States
But not without getting nettled.
 

ElsieMcHenry

New member
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Apr 25, 2016
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Other
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English
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United States
Current Location
United States
"deal" is the right answer.
 

Lynxear

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Joined
Dec 20, 2007
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
Canada
Current Location
Canada
I believe this to be solely a British idiom. I don't think you would find it used at all in American or Canadian English.

However, it is understandable. Since a nettle stings when you touch it, the only reason to grasp this plant in this context would be to deal with the problem... for better or worse
 
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