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to troubleshoot

to troubleshoot

4 4.9
Find and fix problems with machines or systems
  • verb
  • /ˈtrʌbəlˌʃut/
  • Specialized
translation icon : solucionar
  • When the computer crashed, she quickly started to troubleshoot the issue to get it running again.
  • troubleshoot problems

And what separates you from other film makers if you're successful, is that you have the capacity to troubleshoot and and get past the roadblock.

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Examples

  • I'm spending more time just looking for files, modifying files than I am troubleshooting the printer.

  • I spent the afternoon trying to install and troubleshoot some plug-ins for my blog to no avail.

    Blog text (28)
  • Can you guys just troubleshoot this with me?

  • So you sort of troubleshoot for folks?

  • As shown by the figure, a user is learning to troubleshoot a power supply.

    Academic text (2018)
  • Your principle would like to bring you in to troubleshoot the situation.

  • Joe and Sean troubleshoot some network issues with a student during a health class.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Instead, these participants were primarily looking for online support in how to troubleshoot specific problems that arose with the tools.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Larnee and her children would often troubleshoot collectively when they had issues with digital tools.

    Academic text (2015)
  • If you're trying to troubleshoot a problem with your server, these warnings may be helpful.

    Blog text (28)

Synonyms

to repair
vsto troubleshoot
365 1.0

To fix something that is broken or not working

finds and fixes problems rather than only restoring broken items
to service
vsto troubleshoot
31 3.2

To check and repair a machine or vehicle so it works well

focuses on finding and fixing specific problems rather than routine upkeep
to diag
vsto troubleshoot
  • Jargon
9.0

To run tests that find problems in a machine or system

includes locating faults and then fixing them, not only testing

How Effective

to troubleshoot
  • Specialized
4 4.9
to diagnose
317 4.3
to check
1.0
to look into
573 2.8

Surface Forms

troubleshoot infinitive
troubleshooting present participle
troubleshoots third person singular
troubleshot past participle

Morphology

troubleshoot = trouble + shoot (semi-transparent) = trouble + shoot

The components 'trouble' + 'shoot' are recognizable, but the verb's meaning 'investigate and fix problems' is a metaphorical/specialized extension of 'shoot' rather than a direct literal combination.

Etymology

Troubleshoot combines trouble ('a problem') and shoot (like 'aiming' at something), and a helpful way to remember it is to imagine aiming at a problem like a target to stop it. So to troubleshoot is to find and fix problems, especially with machines and computers.