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

And getting everybody sorted out in the protection. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 8 Sep. 2025

One of the biggest challenges in recycling plastic is that there are several kinds of plastic that end up in our bins – and those variations in composition necessitate sorting out waste before processing it. —Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 7 Sep. 2025

With Saturn retrograde in Pisces, activating your sixth house of health and due diligence, this is a call to polish your day-to-day schedule and sort out your priorities. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025

While that might not be directly applicable to the University of Florida or any other school looking into the option, the technology provides an easy means of sorting out those a governing figure doesn’t want in attendance, which is where Neves jumps back into the frame. —Noah White, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2025

Rhymes for sort out

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