sort out: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘sort out’ mean?
The idiom sort out means to resolve or organize a problem or situation.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "tell apart" means to distinguish or recognize the difference between two or more similar things or people.
The idiom "talk to" means to communicate with someone about a particular issue, usually in order to try and resolve a problem or reach an agreement. It implies an open and direct conversation where both parties express their thoughts and feelings.
The idiom "take time out" means to pause or suspend activities, often to rest or relax, before continuing with them later.
The idiom "take sides" means to choose or support one person, group, or opinion over another, often in a conflict or disagreement.
The idiom "take out the trash" means to remove or eliminate something or someone undesirable or unnecessary.
The idiom "take out" means to remove something or someone from a particular place or situation.
The idiom "take matters into one's own hands" means to personally handle or assume responsibility for a situation instead of relying on others to do so.
The idiom "take it outside" means resolving a conflict or argument by moving it outside, usually from a public space to a more private one. This phrase is often used to suggest dealing with an issue physically or away from others.
The idiom "take care of business" means to handle or complete necessary tasks or responsibilities efficiently and effectively.
The idiom "sweep out" means to remove or get rid of something completely, typically in a forceful or decisive manner.
Decoding "Sort Out"
The idiom "sort out" is a commonly used phrase in English, with various meanings depending on the context. One prevalent meaning of "sort out" is to organize or arrange something methodically. This can apply to physical objects, like sorting out a collection of books or files. It can also refer to resolving conflicts or issues. For example, if two people have a conflict, they might need to "sort it out" by discussing the matter and finding a resolution. In a similar vein, the idiom "straighten out" is closely related to "sort out" and is used to describe resolving problems or conflicts in an organized and systematic manner.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom sort out can be used in a sentence:
- He needs to sort out his financial problems before he can start a new business.
- Let's meet tomorrow and sort out the details of our travel plans.
- The coach tried to sort out the issues within the team to improve their performance.