straighten out
Britishverb
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to make or become less complicated or confused
the situation will straighten out
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to reform or become reformed
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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]
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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.
Even if the strike were to last only a day, it could take about five days to straighten out the supply chain.
From Salon ● Oct. 2, 2024
“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
That’s so the Washington State Department of Transportation can straighten out the busy corridor.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 13, 2023
He hopes the worst is behind him as he tries to straighten out a career gone sideways.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 8, 2023
Only yesterday, I helped Abuela straighten out her sewing room.
From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina
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.
