iron out

British  

verb

1. to smooth, using a heated iron

2. to put right or settle (a problem or difficulty) as a result of negotiations or discussions

3. informal to knock unconscious

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iron out Idioms  

1. Work out, resolve, settle. For example, They managed to iron out all the problems with the new production process, or John and Mary finally ironed out their differences. This expression uses ironing wrinkled fabric as a metaphor for smoothing differences. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

But many economists think that the BLS doesn’t fully iron out seasonal effects and that the data still exhibits “residual seasonality.”

From The Wall Street Journal

He took a big breath in, hoping the air would iron out the shakes in his voice.

From Literature

Google admitted that there are still major kinks that need to be ironed out.

From Barron's

The more details, financial or otherwise, you iron out before the trip, the more you’ll be able to enjoy what sounds like an amazing few days.

From MarketWatch

Mark Linscott, senior adviser for trade at the US-India Strategic Partnership, wrote on LinkedIn that there are still issues to be ironed out, including on intellectual property, agriculture and carbon emissions.

From BBC

Related Words

• arbitrate
• clear up
• eradicate
• expedite
• get rid of
• harmonize
• negotiate
• resolve
• settle
• smooth over
• straighten out
• unravel