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

Richardson sorts out all of that, and sharpens the literary angles, but the triumph of True Nature is his understanding of Matthiessen as a man literally running wild over a very long and complicated life, a man of myriad contradictions and, tellingly, a serial philanderer. —Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025

White House aides are snipping at Republican colleagues on the Hill that this is on them to sort out. —Phil Elliott, Time, 8 Oct. 2025

Gabriel's performance doesn't warrant a benching at this stage, but if Cleveland is serious about sorting out its quarterback situation for the future, Sanders should get some tread at some point this season. —Trevor Squire, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025

Leaders said the pause is meant to give them time to sort out the new law and determine how to continue services. —Madeline Heim, jsonline.com, 7 Oct. 2025

Rhymes for sort out

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