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

Kollar-Kotelly ruled that a magistrate judge could sort out whether those diarylike messages had to handed over. Stanley Woodward, one of Navarro’s employees, also represents a Trump aide accused of helping the former president hide classified documents after leaving the White House. —Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024

As aviation companies work to bounce back after the pandemic, sorting out these issues is crucial. —Stoyan Mitov, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024

Those replays took several minutes each to sort out. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024

Then the whole mess gets sorted out Friday and Saturday in the final games of the regular season. —Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024

Its launch has been delayed repeatedly as the carmaker worked to sort out electronics issues. —Siddharth Philip, Fortune Europe, 23 Feb. 2024

So one of the things that held up enforcement as unlicensed shops were multiplying was the need to sort out who was ultimately responsible. —Terence McGinley, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2024

Los Angeles police are still trying to sort out the mystery of the Tarzana man and his three missing family members. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2024

As Trump and a team of attorneys and advisers scramble to sort out his options, his bill gets bigger. —Shayna Jacobs, Washington Post, 25 Feb. 2024