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

City leaders have until the end of the year to sort out the budget impasse. —Chris Tye, CBS News, 9 Dec. 2025

Deputy prime minister and defense minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said last week that Warsaw is ready to move once the remaining logistics are sorted out. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 6 Dec. 2025

This is how all 12 groups sorted out, although there are still a handful of playoff teams who still have to officially earn their place in the tournament. —Joe Kozlowski, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

Investigators may still be sorting out what the evidence supports. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 5 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for sort out

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