sort out

1 of 2

phrasal verb

sorted out; sorting out; sorts out

1

: to understand or find (something, such as a reason or a solution) by thinking

I'm trying to sort out a way to do it.

2

: to find an answer or solution for (something)

He's still trying to sort out his problems.

We need to get these problems sorted out as soon as possible.

They couldn't come up with a solution and decided to wait to see whether problem sorted itself out.

3

: to solve the problems of (someone)

They're still trying to sort their son out.

I just need a little more time to sort myself out.

4

British, informal : to deal in a forceful way with (someone who is causing problems)

I told my brother they were bullying me, and he promised to sort them out (for me).

sort-out

2 of 2

noun

British

: an activity in which someone makes a room, closet, etc., neat and organized

Let's have a sort-out of the attic.

Examples of sort out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Phrasal verb

Well, living in the present tense is perhaps being a bit presumptuous for Felicity, but which sister murdered whom and is now impersonating them is for Charlie to sort out. —Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 9 May 2025

The last of those entrants won’t be determined until March 2026, giving fans precious few months to sort out travel arrangements. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 6 May 2025

But now, the developer is attempting to sort out the mess and move on. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 30 Apr. 2025

His backhand clearing attempt was knocked down easily on the way to Buchnevich’s first goal, while a poor neutral zone sort out contributed to Fowler’s 3-0 goal later in the frame. —Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025

Rhymes for sort out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout