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Glite Dictionary
to thresh out

to thresh out

6.8
Discuss a problem or idea carefully to reach a decision
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : discutir
  • We need to thresh out the details of the project before moving forward.

Examples

  • Let's thresh out this issue so we can decide how to proceed.

  • And wasn't this very topic threshed out here a few months back, with the eventual consensus that it's doable with a population in the tens of millions?

    Blog text (28)

  • During the meeting, the team will thresh out their ideas to find the best solution.

Synonyms

to hammer out
vsto thresh out
23 4.2

To talk about something in detail until people reach an agreement

is a thorough discussion without the implied force or strong arguing
to hash out
vsto thresh out
  • Informal
20 4.6

Talk about details carefully to reach an agreement

is a thorough discussion focused on clear solution rather than only settling differences
to thrash out
vsto thresh out
  • Informal
2 5.3

To discuss a problem carefully to reach a solution or agreement

is a thorough talk aimed at finding a clear conclusion rather than just agreement
to hash over
vsto thresh out
  • Informal
1 6.0

Talk about something again in detail

is about deep discussion to reach a clear conclusion, not just review
to air out the situation
vsto thresh out
  • Informal
5.6

Talk about a problem to make things clear and stop misunderstandings

focuses on clearing up misunderstandings rather than deep problem analysis or solution

Antonyms

to avoid
∞ 1.0

To stay away from something or not do it to stop something bad from happening

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

How Thorough

to iron out
22 3.8
to work through
152 3.4
to thresh out
6.8
to discuss
∞ 1.6
to mention
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

thresh out infinitive
threshing out present participle
threshes out third person singular
thrashed out past
thrashed out past participle

Morphology

thresh + out

Literally 'thresh' means to beat/separate grain and 'out' suggests removal or thoroughness; the MWE uses that agricultural image metaphorically to mean working through an issue until the important parts are separated. This metaphorical extension is somewhat understandable if a learner knows the literal sense, but the specific discourse meaning ('discuss thoroughly') is not fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure, so it is only partially transparent.

Etymology

The phrasal verb thresh out comes from farming. Farmers would thresh grain by beating it so the good grain separated and the outer parts were thrown out, and that picture of working and sorting is why thresh out means 'to discuss something thoroughly until you reach a clear answer'.