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

Determining the contours of that cooperation — including who can be in the deliberation rooms and when — is still being sorted out. —Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Plot details haven’t been sorted out, but the film will center on the punk-rock version of Spider-Man — aka Hobie Brown — whose main weapon is his guitar. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 5 Aug. 2025

Similar to the receivers and tight ends, camp will be an important time to sort out the main rotation, but there’s flexibility to figure out, too. —Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 30 July 2025

Henry Kissinger once compared himself to the lone cowboy who rode into town to sort out the bad guys. —Margaret MacMillan, Foreign Affairs, 21 July 2025

Rhymes for sort out

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