sort out

Meaning

To 'sort out' means to organize, resolve, or clarify a problem, misunderstanding, or complex situation. It is incredibly common in daily business conversations, especially when dealing with logistics, scheduling, or minor conflicts. The tone is practical, reassuring, and active.

Examples

• Don't worry about the scheduling conflict; I will sort it out with HR.

  Don't worry about the scheduling conflict; I will sort it out with HR.

• We need to sort out our billing issues before the end of the fiscal quarter.

  We need to sort out our billing issues before the end of the fiscal quarter.

• Once we sort out these minor technical bugs, the app will be ready to launch.

  Once we sort out these minor technical bugs, the app will be ready to launch.

• It took us several hours to sort out the details of the new contract.

  It took us several hours to sort out the details of the new contract.

• She is great at sorting out chaotic situations and making things run smoothly.

  She is great at sorting out chaotic situations and making things run smoothly.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We must sort out of this mess immediately.

  ✓ We must sort out this mess immediately.

  'Sort out' does not require the preposition 'of'. You sort out a problem directly.

• ✗ I will sort out it after the meeting.

  ✓ I will sort it out after the meeting.

  'Sort out' is a separable phrasal verb. When using a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', the pronoun must go between 'sort' and 'out'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We have a few details to ___ before we can sign the contract.

  💡 resolve or organize

  Show answer

  sort out

• Don't worry, the technical team is trying to ___ the server error.

  💡 fix

  Show answer

  sort out