sort out

1 of 2

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

Verb

The bipartisan Joint Budget Committee set aside $500,000 to stand up a working group to lead the effort in the coming months, the details of which are still being sorted out. —The Denver Post, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026

Mohan will probably end up taking some time to sort out her life and to make a decision about her future off camera. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Apr. 2026

These details would likely be sorted out by the Tax Increment Financing Commission of the Economic Development Corporation, which would need to vote to approve the plan. —Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026

Tuesday’s hiccup will likely also have to be accounted for in Amazon’s ongoing conversations around carrying additional NFL games, as well as local MLB, NBA and NHL contests as those leagues sort out their regional distribution plans in the wake of Main Street Sports Group’s unwinding. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2026

Rhymes for sort out

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