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to hash out

to hash out

20 4.6
Talk about details carefully to reach an agreement
  • phrasal verb
  • /hæʃ aʊt/
  • Informal
translation icon : discutir a fondo
  • Let's meet tomorrow to hash out the project details and finalize our plans.
  • hash out details
  • hash out differences
  • hash out issues

Oh no, we just hash out our beef.

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Examples

  • The committee needs to hash out the budget proposal before the meeting next week.

  • What, you wanna have lunch tomorrow and hash out the details?

  • We do need to hear these issues hashed out in real time.

  • Just come there later tonight and we'll hash this all out.

  • We're still hashing out the details... - but you could be involved.

  • Let's get together and hash it out.

  • We Americans have our own policy issues to hash out with one another.

    Blog text (23)
  • Look, we'll have plenty of time to hash out the details on our travels, okay?

  • As stakeholders review the 10 sections, they may hash out the various perspectives of their team members.

    Academic text (2012)
  • The new rules create a framework for opposing lawyers to hash out how electronic documents will be handled in any given case.

    Academic text (2007)

Synonyms

to discuss
vsto hash out
1.6

To talk with other people about something, often in detail

aims specifically to resolve differences, reach agreement, or clarify details
to negotiate
vsto hash out
  • Formal
801 3.7

Try to reach an agreement by talking, often about business terms

is similar but applies in both formal and informal talks to reach agreement
to talk over
vsto hash out
66 3.2

Discuss something carefully with someone before deciding

stresses resolving differences and clarifying details rather than just reviewing
to hammer out
vsto hash out
23 4.2

To talk about something in detail until people reach an agreement

uses thorough discussion too but is not always forceful in tone
to iron out
vsto hash out
22 3.8

Settle problems or disagreements by talking and finding a solution

focuses more broadly on agreement, including clarifying positions and details
to parley
vsto hash out
  • Archaic
3 8.6

To hold a discussion between opposing sides to try to make an agreement or peace

is used more generally for settling differences, not only between opponents
to thrash out
vsto hash out
  • Informal
2 5.3

To discuss a problem carefully to reach a solution or agreement

is about full discussion aimed at agreement, resolution, or clear details
to hash the details
vsto hash out
  • Informal
1 6.5

To talk about the exact parts of a plan to reach an agreement

covers the same settling of details but also wider resolution of differences
to hash over
vsto hash out
  • Informal
1 6.0

Talk about something again in detail

focuses on reaching agreement and settling differences rather than only rechecking
5.7

Talk about things fully to reach an agreement when people disagree

focuses on reaching agreement and clarifying details through full discussion
to thresh out
vsto hash out
6.8

Discuss a problem or idea carefully to reach a decision

aims more at settling differences and agreeing on finer points through talk
to air out the situation
vsto hash out
  • Informal
5.6

Talk about a problem to make things clear and stop misunderstandings

is broader, aiming not only to clarify but to reach agreement and details

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

How Thoroughly

to resolve
623 3.3
to iron out
22 3.8
to hash out
  • Informal
20 4.6
to talk over
66 3.2
to discuss
1.6
to mention
1.0

Surface Forms

hash out infinitive
hashed out past
hashed out past participle
hashing out present participle
hashes out third person singular

Morphology

hash + out

The sense ‘to discuss thoroughly’ can be seen as a metaphorical extension of 'hash' (to chop up or work through) combined with 'out' (to completion), so a learner who understands 'hash' as a verb meaning to process could plausibly infer the meaning. However, 'hash' is not a highly frequent verb sense (many learners know it only as a food item) and the discourse sense is idiomatic enough that the meaning is not fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

Hash out comes from hash, a simple dish made by chopping meat and vegetables. Think of chopping an idea into small pieces and mixing it until it makes sense, which is what people do when they hash out a plan. So, to hash out something is 'to discuss it carefully to reach an agreement'.