Grasp the nettle

[Tdol]

You can check your answer here.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

But not without getting nettled.

 

[ElsieMcHenry]

"deal" is the right answer.

 

[Lynxear]

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