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

After everything was sorted out, the Vikings had two on and one out. —Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 4 June 2025

Lower standards may win the network game initially, with things being sorted out later. —Michael Abbott, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

Smith is hopeful of being fully up to speed by next season’s training camp, with the Heat having to sort out his free agency. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 May 2025

Like a professional, Blue Ivy carefully extracted the hair from her earring as swiftly as possible, even hitting a few moves with her while sorting out the wardrobe malfunction. —Starr Bowenbank, People.com, 16 May 2025

Rhymes for sort out

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