straighten things out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "straighten things out" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to resolve or clarify a confusing or difficult situation. Example: "I need to have a conversation with my coworkers to straighten things out about the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It needs Google to straighten things out," he wrote.

The Guardian - Travel

Now it wants the two firms to straighten things out by February 1st.

The Economist

And the person who was hired in December to straighten things out has never been paid.

The New York Times

Leeser believes this demonstrates a common "subconscious desire to straighten things out".

The New Yorker

"We're going to enlist the audience to straighten things out," Ms. Peattie said.

The New York Times

"He made breaks in all three, but we managed to straighten things out," Ford said.

The New York Times - Sports

I have a good feeling that he will straighten things out".

The New York Times

After a few minutes for officials to straighten things out, Stockton calmly hit the technicals.

The New York Times - Sports

It needs people who will straighten things out, and figure out where the company really can make money.

The New Yorker

Under the settlement, Medicare officials have until next January to straighten things out by notifying health care providers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

After two weeks of trying to straighten things out and learning Java, for which she had no prior training she left, with the recruiter cursing her out as she packed.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "straighten things out" when you want to convey the idea of resolving a problem, clarifying a misunderstanding, or organizing a chaotic situation. It is appropriate in both informal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "straighten things out" is widely understood, it might be too informal for highly formal or technical writing. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "resolve the issue" or "rectify the matter" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "straighten things out" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, expressing the action of resolving a problem or clarifying a situation. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiomatic phrase "straighten things out" is a versatile and commonly used expression for resolving problems, clarifying misunderstandings, or restoring order. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media, with less frequent use in formal academic or scientific contexts. When choosing an alternative, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as "resolve the issue" for a specific problem or "rectify the matter" for more formal settings. Overall, "straighten things out" is a useful and widely understood phrase for various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sort things out

Similar in meaning, but slightly more informal and general.

resolve the issue

Focuses on solving a specific problem or conflict.

clear up the confusion

Highlights clarifying misunderstandings or ambiguities.

fix the problem

Emphasizes repairing something that is broken or not working properly.

iron out the details

Implies addressing minor discrepancies or finalizing plans.

set things right

Conveys a sense of moral or ethical correction.

remedy the situation

Focuses on correcting a negative or undesirable state of affairs.

bring order to chaos

Emphasizes restoring structure and organization.

rectify the matter

A more formal way of saying "correct a mistake".

untangle the mess

Highlights resolving a complex and confusing situation.

FAQs

What does "straighten things out" mean?

The idiom "straighten things out" means to resolve a problem, clarify a misunderstanding, or organize something that is disorganized or chaotic.

How can I use "straighten things out" in a sentence?

You can use "straighten things out" in a sentence like: "I need to talk to my manager to "resolve the issue"". Or: "We need to "bring order to chaos" before the project deadline."

What are some alternatives to "straighten things out"?

Some alternatives to "straighten things out" include "sort things out", "clear up the confusion", or "resolve the issue", depending on the specific context.

Is "straighten things out" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, "straighten things out" is generally considered semi-formal. For highly formal or technical writing, consider using alternatives such as "rectify the matter" or "remedy the situation".