To “grapple with” means to have difficulty understanding something or managing a problem.
Transcript
Grapple with
Today’s expression is “to grapple with.” Like so many expressions, it has a literal meaning and a more metaphorical meaning. Literally, it means to physically fight or struggle to get something. The far more common meaning is the metaphorical one, which is to have difficulty understanding something or to have difficulty managing a problem.
When you’re grappling with an issue, you have a hard time deciding what you think about it, or what you’re going to do in response. Earlier in this lesson, you heard that the American city of Philadelphia is grappling with whether to allow a safe-injection site for users of heroin and other illegal drugs. It’s not an easy question to answer. Even if everyone agreed that it’s a good idea—and they don’t—but even if they did, they’d still have to find a place to put it, and to win support from the people who live nearby. It’s not easy, and the city is grappling with whether and how to open a safe-injection center.
Event organizers are grappling with what to do in response to the coronavirus. The Tokyo Olympics will bring tens of thousands of visitors from around the world to one place in Asia this summer. Should the event go on? The Tokyo marathon was canceled to all but the most elite runners. So all the people who had been training and planning to run the race were not allowed to participate. Only about 200 elite runners participated. Some baseball games in Japan are being played in empty stadiums. The games go on: the players play, the games are on TV. But there are no fans in the seats.
Facebook canceled a big developer conference. Geneva, Switzerland canceled its famous auto show. The organizers of big events need to decide what to do. They are grappling with this decision. Should the event go on? Should it be modified? Can it be delayed? Can they do it online? Is coronavirus a real risk for a big event if it’s not in Asia? These are not easy questions. Big money is at stake. The organizers don’t want to cancel events, but neither do they want to contribute to a global health crisis. They are grappling with these issues now; they are trying to gain an understanding of them and trying to formulate a response. They are grappling with some difficult questions these days.
Justin Trudeau, the prime minister of Canada, is grappling with a tough issue now. A proposed natural gas pipeline in the Canadian province of British Columbia passes through land controlled by First Nations, which is what Canada calls the indigenous people who lived in Canada before European settlers arrived. The pipeline is important to Canada’s economy and natural gas is a relatively clean energy source, but the First Nations say that the pipeline’s construction would cause environmental harm.
People protesting on behalf of the First Nations are blocking railway lines, causing economic disruption in western Canada. The government is currently grappling with the issue—how do they respond to disruptive protests? Can they assuage the environmental concerns of the First Nations leaders? Should the pipeline be canceled? Is there a viable alternative? How strictly should police act against protesters? These are all questions that Justin Trudeau is grappling with right now. The Canadian Prime Minister is someone who likes to play it safe and listen to both sides.
Schools and parents in Asia are grappling with school closures. So many school buildings are closed due to coronavirus, and many are experimenting with e-learning, so kids don’t fall too far behind. Schools are delivering lessons by e-mail and parents are turning to e-learning apps with video lessons to keep their kids engaged while they’re not in the classroom. Meanwhile, parents have to stay home from work or find other child-care arrangements while their kids are home. Not only are schools grappling with how to deliver lessons, but parents are grappling with how to supervise their kids during the day.
By the way, did you notice in the last sentence, I used “not only…but”? If you’re a Plain English Plus+ member, you might recognize that as the topic of the video lesson from Episode 237—the first lesson where JR makes a guest video appearance, incidentally.
Quote of the week
It’s Monday, so it’s time for the quote of the week. Here’s one from the personal finance guru Dave Ramsey. Dave Ramsey is very, very popular author and radio host in the US. He’s somewhat controversial in his approach to personal finance, but he does give sound advice on a lot of topics, and this is one of his most famous quotes. Here it goes, “Too many people buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have to impress people they don’t like.” Boy, that is true. Everyone has their own approach to spending, saving, debt, things like that, and Dave Ramsey’s approach won’t be right for everyone. But this quote is definitely true: “Too many people buy things they don’t need with money they don’t have to impress people they don’t like.”
Thanks for joining us for this episode. Coming up on Thursday: a locust invasion is putting the food supply in east Africa at risk. Wait until you hear how many locusts there are, and what they’re doing. That’s coming up on Thursday’s episode of Plain English. See you then.
By the way, if you enjoyed this episode and would like to get even more out of Plain English, then I think you would benefit from Plain English Plus+ our membership program. Members get access to video lessons—a library of 61 videos and growing—plus a fast version of the program, translations built into the transcripts online, and much more. If you’d like to see a sample of what you get, then that’s easy: just visit PlainEnglish.com/sample and you’ll see a full sample episode. PlainEnglish.com/sample.
¿Hablas español?
The transcript of this lesson is available with interactive translations into Spanish. In each lesson transcript, we select about one hundred difficult words, phrases , and expressions for translation.
How is this different than simply using a translation engine?
Translation engines are powerful tools for communicating in the modern world . However, they often miss the context and can either mislead you or leave you confused . Our human translators are here to make sure that you’re getting not only the correct definition, but also the full context .
How can I use the translations in my studies?
Most members use the translations as they are listening to the lesson and reading along . When you come across a word you don’t understand, you don’t have to press pause to discover the meaning . You can simply hover your mouse over the highlighted word . This lets you learn the definition of the word without having to press pause on the audio.
Do the translations work on mobile?
Yes! Instead of hovering over a highlighted word, just tap on it .
How can I access the translations?
Translations are included in two memberships: Plain English Plus+ and Starter. Choose a plan and get started today!
你说中国话？
The transcript of this lesson is available with interactive translations into your language. In each lesson transcript, we select about one hundred difficult words, phrases , and expressions for translation.
How is this different than simply using a translation engine?
Translation engines are powerful tools for communicating in the modern world . However, they often miss the context and can either mislead you or leave you confused . Our human translators are here to make sure that you’re getting not only the correct definition, but also the full context .How can I use the translations in my studies?
Most members use the translations as they are listening to the lesson and reading along . When you come across a word you don’t understand, you don’t have to press pause to discover the meaning . You can simply hover your mouse over the highlighted word . This lets you learn the definition of the word without having to press pause on the audio.
Do the translations work on mobile?
Yes! Instead of hovering over a highlighted word, just tap on it .
How can I access the translations?
Translations are included in two memberships: Plain English Plus+ and Starter. Choose a plan and get started today!
Parlez-vous français?
The transcript of this lesson is available with interactive translations into your language. In each lesson transcript, we select about one hundred difficult words, phrases , and expressions for translation.
How is this different than simply using a translation engine?
Translation engines are powerful tools for communicating in the modern world . However, they often miss the context and can either mislead you or leave you confused . Our human translators are here to make sure that you’re getting not only the correct definition, but also the full context .How can I use the translations in my studies?
Most members use the translations as they are listening to the lesson and reading along . When you come across a word you don’t understand, you don’t have to press pause to discover the meaning . You can simply hover your mouse over the highlighted word . This lets you learn the definition of the word without having to press pause on the audio.
Do the translations work on mobile?
Yes! Instead of hovering over a highlighted word, just tap on it .
Can I see a sample?
Yes, please visit PlainEnglish.com/sample to see a sample episode with the Spanish translations.
How can I access the translations?
Translations are included in two memberships: Plain English Plus+ and Starter. Choose a plan and get started today!
Você fala português?
The transcript of this lesson is available with interactive translations into your language. In each lesson transcript, we select about one hundred difficult words, phrases , and expressions for translation.
How is this different than simply using a translation engine?
Translation engines are powerful tools for communicating in the modern world . However, they often miss the context and can either mislead you or leave you confused . Our human translators are here to make sure that you’re getting not only the correct definition, but also the full context .How can I use the translations in my studies?
Most members use the translations as they are listening to the lesson and reading along . When you come across a word you don’t understand, you don’t have to press pause to discover the meaning . You can simply hover your mouse over the highlighted word . This lets you learn the definition of the word without having to press pause on the audio.
Do the translations work on mobile?
Yes! Instead of hovering over a highlighted word, just tap on it .
Can I see a sample?
Yes, please visit PlainEnglish.com/sample to see a sample episode with the Spanish translations.
How can I access the translations?
Translations are included in two memberships: Plain English Plus+ and Starter. Choose a plan and get started today!
日本語は話せますか？
The transcript of this lesson is available with interactive translations into your language. In each lesson transcript, we select about one hundred difficult words, phrases , and expressions for translation.
How is this different than simply using a translation engine?
Translation engines are powerful tools for communicating in the modern world . However, they often miss the context and can either mislead you or leave you confused . Our human translators are here to make sure that you’re getting not only the correct definition, but also the full context .How can I use the translations in my studies?
Most members use the translations as they are listening to the lesson and reading along . When you come across a word you don’t understand, you don’t have to press pause to discover the meaning . You can simply hover your mouse over the highlighted word . This lets you learn the definition of the word without having to press pause on the audio.
Do the translations work on mobile?
Yes! Instead of hovering over a highlighted word, just tap on it .
Can I see a sample?
Yes, please visit PlainEnglish.com/sample to see a sample episode with the Spanish translations.
How can I access the translations?
Translations are included in two memberships: Plain English Plus+ and Starter. Choose a plan and get started today!
Parli italiano?
The transcript of this lesson is available with interactive translations into your language. In each lesson transcript, we select about one hundred difficult words, phrases , and expressions for translation.
How is this different than simply using a translation engine?
Translation engines are powerful tools for communicating in the modern world . However, they often miss the context and can either mislead you or leave you confused . Our human translators are here to make sure that you’re getting not only the correct definition, but also the full context .How can I use the translations in my studies?
Most members use the translations as they are listening to the lesson and reading along . When you come across a word you don’t understand, you don’t have to press pause to discover the meaning . You can simply hover your mouse over the highlighted word . This lets you learn the definition of the word without having to press pause on the audio.
Do the translations work on mobile?
Yes! Instead of hovering over a highlighted word, just tap on it .
Can I see a sample?
Yes, please visit PlainEnglish.com/sample to see a sample episode with the Spanish translations.
How can I access the translations?
Translations are included in two memberships: Plain English Plus+ and Starter. Choose a plan and get started today!
Sprechen Sie Deutsch?
The transcript of this lesson is available with interactive translations into your language. In each lesson transcript, we select about one hundred difficult words, phrases , and expressions for translation.
How is this different than simply using a translation engine?
Translation engines are powerful tools for communicating in the modern world . However, they often miss the context and can either mislead you or leave you confused . Our human translators are here to make sure that you’re getting not only the correct definition, but also the full context .How can I use the translations in my studies?
Most members use the translations as they are listening to the lesson and reading along . When you come across a word you don’t understand, you don’t have to press pause to discover the meaning . You can simply hover your mouse over the highlighted word . This lets you learn the definition of the word without having to press pause on the audio.
Do the translations work on mobile?
Yes! Instead of hovering over a highlighted word, just tap on it .
Can I see a sample?
Yes, please visit PlainEnglish.com/sample to see a sample episode with the Spanish translations.
How can I access the translations?
Translations are included in two memberships: Plain English Plus+ and Starter. Choose a plan and get started today!
Sen Türkçe konuşmayı biliyor musun?
The transcripts of Plain English lessons are available with interactive translations into your language. In each lesson transcript, we select about one hundred difficult words, phrases , and expressions for translation. Turkish translations are available starting at Lesson 278.
How is this different than simply using a translation engine?
Translation engines are powerful tools for communicating in the modern world . However, they often miss the context and can either mislead you or leave you confused . Our human translators are here to make sure that you’re getting not only the correct definition, but also the full context .How can I use the translations in my studies?
Most members use the translations as they are listening to the lesson and reading along . When you come across a word you don’t understand, you don’t have to press pause to discover the meaning . You can simply hover your mouse over the highlighted word . This lets you learn the definition of the word without having to press pause on the audio.
Do the translations work on mobile?
Yes! Instead of hovering over a highlighted word, just tap on it .
Can I see a sample?
Yes, please visit PlainEnglish.com/sample to see a sample episode with the Spanish translations.
How can I access the translations?
Translations are included in two memberships: Plain English Plus+ and Starter. Choose a plan and get started today!
Mówisz po polsku?
The transcript of Plain English lessons are available with interactive translations into your language. In each lesson transcript, we select about one hundred difficult words, phrases , and expressions for translation. Polish translations are available starting at Lesson 278.
How is this different than simply using a translation engine?
Translation engines are powerful tools for communicating in the modern world . However, they often miss the context and can either mislead you or leave you confused . Our human translators are here to make sure that you’re getting not only the correct definition, but also the full context .How can I use the translations in my studies?
Most members use the translations as they are listening to the lesson and reading along . When you come across a word you don’t understand, you don’t have to press pause to discover the meaning . You can simply hover your mouse over the highlighted word . This lets you learn the definition of the word without having to press pause on the audio.
Do the translations work on mobile?
Yes! Instead of hovering over a highlighted word, just tap on it .
Can I see a sample?
Yes, please visit PlainEnglish.com/sample to see a sample episode with the Spanish translations.
How can I access the translations?
Translations are included in two memberships: Plain English Plus+ and Starter. Choose a plan and get started today!
Audio
The fast version of this expression is available for subscribers of Plain English Plus+.