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

Both are still ironing out the details of the agreement, with improved access to the European market for Australia's lamb and beef a key source of contention.

From Barron's

China’s National Bureau of Statistics combines January and February data to iron out distortions stemming from the shifting timing of the annual Lunar New Year holiday.

From The Wall Street Journal

China combines key economic indicators for January and February each year to iron out distortions caused by the shifting timing of the Lunar New Year, which typically slows economic activity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Apart from winning, Norris' target this season is to improve himself, iron out the weaknesses that were exposed by his struggles with adapting to the McLaren last year.

From BBC

To do so, he’ll have to iron out disagreements over Canada’s Sikh population, which India accuses of stoking separatist sentiment on its soil.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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