to iron out

Examples

• All

• We can iron out all the finer details later.

  Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts (2009)

• While they do have some issues to iron out, so does every one of their competitors.

  Blog text (25)

• Well, just a few things still to iron out.

  The Hotel New Hampshire (1984)

• We'll iron out the details when I come over later.

  Envy (2004)

• We'll try to iron it out.

  The Odd Couple (1968)

• I'll have a talk with her mother and we'll iron everything out.

  Hope Floats (1998)

• So now it's twelve years later, and they were still trying to iron out their relationship.

  Fiction book (2000)

• Yes, some of his statements are troubling, but eventually we can iron out the differences in our positions.

  Judas (2004)

• The good news is that once these little details are ironed out, this thing will not disappoint.

• The team needs to meet again to iron out the remaining issues before the project deadline.

Synonyms

R

to resolve

vsto iron out

623 3.3

To find an answer to a problem and end a disagreement

focuses on removing obstacles or talking to reach a solution

S

to settle

vsto iron out

596 3.3

To end an argument by agreement or decision

ends issues by decision or agreement rather than only clarifying

S

to sort out

vsto iron out

222 2.7

To find and fix a problem or confusion

uses talking or removing obstacles rather than only clarification

S

to straighten out

vsto iron out

167 3.4

To solve a problem or make a misunderstanding clear

does this by talking or removing obstacles rather than deciding

R

to reconcile

vsto iron out

38 5.1

To become friendly again after a disagreement

focuses more on practical problem fixing rather than restoring relations

C

to clear the air

vsto iron out

• Informal

24 4.1

Help people stop feeling angry or worried by talking about the problem

is more about practical obstacle removal and solving details

H

to hash out

vsto iron out

• Informal

20 4.6

Talk about details carefully to reach an agreement

tends to include practical fixes and obstacle removal as well

P

to put right

vsto iron out

7 3.6

To fix a mistake or problem and return things to normal

is broader, focusing on discussion and removing obstacles rather than repair

S

to smooth out

vsto iron out

6 3.4

Make a process or problem easier by removing difficulties

focuses on easing processes not just ending disagreements

T

to thrash out

vsto iron out

• Informal

2 5.3

To discuss a problem carefully to reach a solution or agreement

also involves removing obstacles and practical problem fixing

Antonyms

C

to complicate

101 4.1

To make something harder to understand or do

A

to aggravate

73 4.6

Make a problem or health condition worse

How Resolved

to settle

596 3.3

to iron out

22 3.8

to sort out

222 2.7

to negotiate

• Formal

801 3.7

to discuss

∞ 1.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology