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

To sort out this roster crunch, Dodgers on SI's Valentina Martinez named three potential trade candidates the Dodgers could move this offseason. —John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025

On Monday, Trump issued an executive order providing for 75 additional days to sort out the dilemma over TikTok. —Paresh Dave, WIRED, 22 Jan. 2025

The first step in Los Angeles, too, will involve removing the remnants of homes and belongings, a process that could take months as officials sort out the details of the arduous and environmentally sensitive process. —Heather Knight, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025

The potential executive order would strive to allow TikTok’s 170 million American users to continue to use the app for a certain period of time as the administration sorts out who could potentially buy it, CNN reported Wednesday. —Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025