sort out
Britishverb
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to find a solution to (a problem, etc), esp to make clear or tidy
it took a long time to sort out the mess
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to take or separate, as from a larger group
he sorted out the most likely ones
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to organize into an orderly and disciplined group
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informal to beat or punish
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Agents said the insurer’s tech, instead of freeing up their time to sell more, can result in them having to sort out glitches.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026
And the census is still trying to figure out how to ask questions to sort out race, ethnicity and origins.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 2, 2026
There are many antitrust issues to sort out, they note.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026
The production feels like a jumble, and the casting doesn’t help sort out the mess.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2026
Mark’s head still pounded and throbbed and it was hard to sort out his thoughts.
From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
