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

The justices’ decision means the laws will remain blocked for now while lower courts continue to sort out the constitutional questions involved. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 2 July 2024

The Supreme Court will be watching how Chutkan sorts out his charges, and could potentially intervene again if the justices disagree with her decision-making. —Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 1 July 2024

But Margolin places the goofball senior-citizen action alongside a family drama, a family whose oldest and youngest members are trying to sort out their place in the world, and how that place is changing. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 18 June 2024

And while all this is being sorted out, the political space to make this theoretical deal a reality and bring a halt to a nearly 250-day war that has killed tens of thousands of people is only narrowing. —Joshua Keating, Vox, 12 June 2024