sort out the details

Meaning

This phrase means to organize, resolve, or clarify the smaller, specific points of a plan, agreement, or project after the main idea has been decided. It is commonly used in professional settings when moving from a general agreement to the actual execution phase. The tone is practical, collaborative, and action-oriented.

Examples

• We agree on the main budget, so let's meet tomorrow to sort out the details.

  We agree on the main budget, so let's meet tomorrow to sort out the details.

• Our legal team needs to sort out the details of the contract before we can sign it.

  Our legal team needs to sort out the details of the contract before we can sign it.

• Once we sort out the details regarding the timeline, I will send you a calendar invite.

  Once we sort out the details regarding the timeline, I will send you a calendar invite.

• Don't worry about the shipping logistics yet; we can sort out those details next week.

  Don't worry about the shipping logistics yet; we can sort out those details next week.

• They have a great concept for the marketing campaign, but they still need to sort out the details.

  They have a great concept for the marketing campaign, but they still need to sort out the details.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to sort the details out of the project.

  ✓ We need to sort out the details of the project.

  Learners often confuse the preposition structure. 'Sort out' is a phrasal verb, and you sort out the details 'of' something, not 'out of' it.

• ✗ Let's organize out the details before the meeting.

  ✓ Let's sort out the details before the meeting.

  Learners sometimes mix up 'organize' and 'sort out' by adding 'out' to 'organize,' which is grammatically incorrect.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We have a general agreement, but we still need to ___ before signing the contract.

  💡 To organize or clarify the smaller points of a plan.

  Show answer

  sort out the details

• Could you schedule a call for Friday so we can ___ of the launch event?

  💡 Resolve the small, specific parts of the event.

  Show answer

  sort out the details