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

But the skaters weren't able to sort out the red tape before the Olympic roster was submitted Saturday, and they were headed home by the time a gala celebration took place Sunday. —Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026

Alonso’s challenge remains to sort out all of the problems in the squad, get his best players back fit and organised into a shape that can challenge in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League. —Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026

Cramer said that the stock could hit $100 once Hill sorts out the China business. —Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2026

Coaches could evaluate their whole team during spring ball, rather than wait to sort out starting rotations in the fall. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for sort out

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