GRIPS
n. C / Un. a firm hold on something, or the ability to control a situation. You can also use it to describe the parts of a handle that help you hold it safely.
n. firm physical grasps or the parts of an object designed to facilitate holding. In a figurative sense, refers to an understanding or control of a specific situation.
He has a firm grip on the steering wheel.
The tennis player replaced the rubber grips on her rackets to ensure she wouldn't slip during the match.
The new manager finally has the department in his grips, having successfully reorganised the workflow and addressed the long-standing issues with staff morale.
Often used in the plural when referring to the physical handles of a bicycle or tool. The singular form is more common for the abstract sense of 'understanding' or 'control'.