to thrash out
- phrasal verb
- /θræʃ aʊt/
- Informal
- It eventually comes out that he has stopped going to school, and Youssef has the additional burden of confronting his ex-wife to thrash out a method for dealing with their errant son.
Examples
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During the negotiations, the leaders managed to thrash out a workable agreement despite their initial disagreements.
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Nine years ago in Tameside, Greater Manchester, about 40 people aged 50 and over gathered with senior managers to thrash out the improvements they wanted to see in adult social services.
Academic text (2009) -
So it will all be about trying to thrash out a deal financially.
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That's all I'm trying to thrash out.
Blog text (10) -
Why don't you two run along, conduct your interview, whilst Mr. Connelly and l thrash out your future?
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If talks have to be held to thrash out the details of a settlement, they have to be among India, Pakistan, and the true representatives of Kashmiris under the auspices of the United Nations or under the friendly mediation of the U.S. government.
Academic text (1995) -
Congress watchers are predicting a "train wreck" sometime in October, November, or possibly Christmas as the leaders of both chambers thrash out a budget reconciliation bill in the shadow of President Clinton's wavering veto threats.
Academic text (1995) -
The committee will meet tomorrow to thrash out the differences in their proposals.
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We need to sit down and thrash out the details of the project before moving forward.
Synonyms
Try to reach an agreement by talking, often about business terms
To talk about something in detail until people reach an agreement
Settle problems or disagreements by talking and finding a solution
Talk about details carefully to reach an agreement
To talk about the exact parts of a plan to reach an agreement
Discuss a problem or idea carefully to reach a decision
Talk about things fully to reach an agreement when people disagree
To discuss the details of an agreement until both sides agree
Antonyms
How Thorough
- Informal
Surface Forms
Morphology
thrash + out
The literal verb 'thrash' (to beat/defeat) plus the particle 'out' evokes a metaphor of working or beating something until resolved, so there is a visible link between constituents and the MWE meaning. However, the jump from physical action to 'discuss thoroughly to reach a solution' is a metaphorical extension and not fully predictable for a B1 learner who only knows the literal senses, so this is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Thrash out comes from the image of thrash meaning 'to beat' and out meaning 'completely'; farmers would beat grain until the useful part came out. So, to thrash out a problem means to discuss or argue it hard until you find a solution or 'reach an agreement'.