iron out

USAGE SUMMARY

"iron out" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as a phrasal verb to mean "to resolve the details of something". Example sentence: My boss asked me to iron out the details of the new project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Hopefully, we can iron out some wrinkles".

The New York Times - Sports

Has the government done enough to iron out confusion?

The Guardian - Money

"I have just got to iron out the bad ones.

The Guardian - Sport

Usually they iron out their differences in private.

The New York Times

But first they had to iron out one disagreement.

The Guardian - Music

Time will iron out the wrinkles and flatten the bumps.

The New York Times - Sports

Just a couple more kinks to iron out, guys.

The New York Times - Arts

Subtle tricks can help iron out any self-perceived imperfections.

Independent

It takes a while to iron out the bugs".

The New York Times - Science

In time, I expect Garmin will iron out the wrinkles.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Familiarity will reduce nervousness and iron-out any timing glitches.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "iron out" when you want to emphasize the process of resolving minor difficulties or disagreements to achieve a smoother outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "iron out" for situations requiring major overhauls or fundamental changes. It's best suited for refining existing plans or resolving smaller conflicts, not for completely restructuring something.

How to use

Learn how to use "iron out" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "iron out" primarily functions as a verb used to describe the action of resolving difficulties or inconsistencies. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it's used to indicate the process of making something smoother or more efficient.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "iron out" is a common and useful expression for describing the resolution of minor difficulties or inconsistencies. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from news and media to science and general writing. While suitable for neutral and professional settings, it's important to remember that "iron out" is best used for refining existing plans or resolving smaller conflicts, not for major overhauls. Alternatives such as "resolve", "sort out", and "work out" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

smooth out

Focuses on removing irregularities or difficulties.

resolve the details

More specific, focusing on the minute aspects of a problem.

straighten out

Indicates correcting something that is wrong or misaligned.

sort out

Suggests organizing and clarifying something that is confused or disordered.

work out

Emphasizes the effort and process of finding a solution.

clear up

Suggests removing confusion or misunderstanding.

resolve

Focuses on finding a solution to a problem or conflict.

settle

Implies reaching an agreement, often after a dispute.

reconcile

Highlights restoring friendly relations or harmonizing differences.

fix

Implies repairing or correcting something that is broken or not functioning properly.

FAQs

How to use "iron out" in a sentence?

You can use "iron out" to describe resolving minor issues or disagreements. For example, "We need to "iron out" the details before the presentation" or "The team met to "iron out" their differences".

What can I say instead of "iron out"?

You can use alternatives like "resolve", "sort out", or "work out" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "iron out the details" or "iron the details out"?

"Iron out the details" is more common and natural-sounding. While "iron the details out" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less frequently used.

What's the difference between "iron out" and "solve"?

"Iron out" implies resolving minor issues to improve something, while "solve" suggests finding a solution to a more significant problem. "Iron out" is about refinement; "solve" is about resolution.