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

Priority for both women’s and men’s is to sort out the ground. —Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024

Days later, the two sides were able to sort out the fine print. —Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

That September, the Times ran a story about a woman named Stephanie Winston, who could be hired to sort out everything from kitchen cabinets to filing cabinets. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024

One of the biggest sources of burnout in organizations is not feeling professionally useful; that lack of efficacy is driven by companies who don’t sort out what truly matters. —Tarun Galagali, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024