to straighten out
167
3.4
- phrasal verb
- /ˈstreɪtən aʊt/
:
resolver
- We need to meet tomorrow to straighten out the budgeting issues we've been facing.
- straighten out things
But you know, what we need to do is look at what our preconceptions are and how these philosophers can help us straighten them out.
- But you know, what we need to do is look at what our preconceptions are and how these philosophers can help us straighten them out.
- So if I got my computer out and looked up the actual things that were released about PRISM, I could straighten that out for you.
- You know, it's been involved with us for years just yet, just trying to straighten things out.
- So let me let me straighten it out because I don't think I think he has poor execution with his his disagreement, but I think he has great intentions.
Examples
-
I was just hoping you could call my boss back home and straighten things out for me.
-
Let me talk to her, we can straighten things out.
-
If we can talk to him, we can straighten it out.
-
We got a few things to straighten out.
-
I can straighten that out.
-
Go on, have a great weekend. I'll talk to you on Monday. We'll straighten everything out.
Fiction book (1993) -
Then you know that we've got to straighten this out first.
-
Maybe if Simone spoke to her she could straighten things out.
-
We aren't getting anywhere. The lawyer said, "Well, I think I can straighten this out."
Academic text (1992) -
They're going to find temporary homes for you until this mess is straightened out.
Fiction book (1991)
Synonyms
363
2.8
To make something easy to understand
222
2.7
To find and fix a problem or confusion
172
2.3
To explain something so people understand it
96
3.9
To correct a wrong idea and make things clear
55
4.8
To give someone clear information to help them understand something
51
4.8
To make something clear or easier to understand
45
6.0
To fix something that is wrong and make things right
26
3.9
To help people understand something by explaining it
24
4.1
Help people stop feeling angry or worried by talking about the problem
22
3.8
Settle problems or disagreements by talking and finding a solution
11
6.8
To explain something so it is easy to understand
7
3.6
To fix a mistake or problem and return things to normal
6
3.4
Make a process or problem easier by removing difficulties
5
4.2
To correct a wrong idea or explain what really happened
1
5.5
To make a confusing or difficult situation clear
To fix a serious problem left behind in a project or system
Talk about a problem to make things clear and stop misunderstandings
Antonyms
How Clear
623
3.3
167
3.4
222
2.7
172
2.3
248
3.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The verb 'straighten' (to put in order) plus the particle 'out' (a completive or thoroughness marker) yields a compositional sense of 'set right' or 'resolve', which can naturally extend metaphorically to 'put one's life/behaviour in order'. However, the shift from a literal physical ordering to improving personal conduct is a metaphorical extension that may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner without prior exposure.
Etymology
The idiom straighten out comes from imagining a tangled line or knot that you pull until it becomes smooth and clear. When the line is no longer tangled you can see how it runs, and the same image applies to ideas or problems. That's why it means 'to resolve or clarify a problem or misunderstanding'.