ironed out

USAGE SUMMARY

"ironed out" is a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
Generally, you can use it to describe a situation in which something has been solved or resolved. For example: "After a long negotiation, all the details were finally ironed out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He ironed out good".

The New York Times

Are you all ironed out?

The Times

"The details need to be ironed out".

The New York Times

"That'll all be ironed out," Jones said.

The New York Times - Sports

Some things haven't been ironed out yet.

The New Yorker

"We'll get it ironed out," Girardi said.

The New York Times

Operational shortcomings can be ironed out, if never perfected.

The Economist

The Met ironed out the problem for later performances.

The New York Times

"Sheets so wrinkled they'll never be ironed out," Angie suggests.

The New York Times - Books

Technical issues still need to be ironed out, too.

The Economist

There are still problems to be ironed out, of course.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ironed out" when you want to convey that problems or difficulties have been resolved after a period of effort or discussion. For example, "The technical issues have been ironed out, and the system is now running smoothly."

Common error

Avoid using "ironed out" when issues are still in the early stages of discussion or problem-solving. This phrase implies a completed resolution, so it's not appropriate for ongoing processes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ironed out" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used in the passive voice or past participle form to indicate that a problem, issue, or difficulty has been resolved or clarified. Ludwig confirms its common usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ironed out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express the resolution of problems or the clarification of details. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appears frequently in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While it maintains a generally neutral register, it's essential to avoid using "ironed out" prematurely when issues are still being discussed. Instead, reserve it for situations where the resolution is complete. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like ""resolved"" or ""finalized"". By following these guidelines, you can effectively and appropriately use "ironed out" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolved

Focuses on the act of finding a solution to a problem or dispute.

settled

Implies reaching an agreement or conclusion, often after discussion.

sorted out

Suggests organizing and clarifying details to eliminate confusion or problems.

worked through

Emphasizes the process of dealing with difficulties to achieve a resolution.

straightened out

Highlights the act of correcting errors or misunderstandings.

clarified

Focuses on making something easier to understand by providing more information.

finalized

Implies completing the last steps of a process to reach a final decision.

hammered out

Suggests a more forceful and detailed negotiation to reach an agreement.

thrashed out

Implies a more intense debate or discussion to resolve conflicting viewpoints.

addressed

Focuses on giving attention to and dealing with a matter or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "ironed out" in a sentence?

You can use "ironed out" to indicate that problems or disagreements have been resolved. For example, "After several meetings, they "finally ironed out" the details of the contract."

What's a more formal alternative to "ironed out"?

In more formal contexts, consider using "resolved", "settled", or "finalized" to convey a similar meaning.

What does it mean to say that something has been "ironed out"?

When something has been "ironed out", it means that the problems or difficulties related to it have been resolved, making it smooth or clear.

Is it correct to use "ironed out" when referring to plans or arrangements?

Yes, "ironed out" can be used to describe plans or arrangements that have been fully detailed and agreed upon. For example, "All the travel arrangements have been "ironed out", so we're ready to go."