straighten out
Britishverb
-
to make or become less complicated or confused
the situation will straighten out
-
to reform or become reformed
-
Clear up disorder, a confusion, or a misunderstanding, as in This is an awful mess; I hope you'll straighten it out , or I don't understand; please straighten me out . [Late 1800s]
-
Adopt an honest, upright course, as in He's only sixteen; I'm sure he'll straighten out before long . [First half of 1900s]
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.
The well-regarded Whittingham was hired to straighten out the program and lift the mood.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
“You want to straighten out the budget?” he asked.
From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2025
“Whether it’s Republican or Democrat, or liberal or conservative, it would be so nice if we could come together and straighten out the world.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 16, 2024
After three crushing defeats, it took a visit from the Giants to straighten out the Eagles.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 25, 2023
She had to wear a special brace just to straighten out her feet.
From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
