sort out

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phrasal verb

sorted out; sorting out; sorts out

: 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.

: 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.

: 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.

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

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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

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Phrasal verb

The actress — in production on Hulu’s Ryan Murphy series All’s Fair — got her schedule sorted out in order to touch down at the Sundance Film Festival for good reason. —

Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Jan. 2025 Wasn't the Ukraine war going to be sorted out by now? —

Brendan Cole, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025 Ukraine skeptics like Vice President JD Vance are arguing that America has other concerns besides sorting out fights between Russia and former Soviet republics. —

David E. Sanger, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025 Notre Dame got things sorted out, but the long season and nagging injuries to Love and the offensive line have hampered the Irish in the postseason. —

Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sort out