thrash out

USAGE SUMMARY

'thrash out' is correct and usable in written English.
It means to discuss an issue in a thorough manner in order to reach a conclusion or solution. For example, "The team decided to thrash out the issue until they could agree on a plan of action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then it will try to thrash out a compromise.

The Economist

Countries hope to thrash out a text by October.

The Economist

They could thrash out the trade-offs between them.

The Guardian - Opinion

One to thrash out in the queue as you throw in those extra tea-lights, perhaps.

Independent

This is exacerbated by an absence of codes of conduct and forums to thrash out disputes.

The Economist

A four-man delegation came to Flushing Meadow to thrash out terms.

The New Yorker

It took a decade to thrash out the new Intermunicipal Agreement.

The Washington Post

Each year, league coaches, ex-players and administrators gather to thrash out the game's rules.

The Guardian - Sport

The Manics have declined the invitation to thrash out their differences.

The Guardian

Diamond watched as Communist and other political forces tried to thrash out a new government.

The New York Times - Books

The Coalition party room will thrash out its differences on superannuation reform on Monday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thrash out" when you want to emphasize a thorough and sometimes intense discussion aimed at resolving a complex issue. For example, "The committee will thrash out the details of the new policy next week."

Common error

Avoid using "thrash out" for simple discussions or decisions. It's best reserved for situations where significant disagreement or complexity requires a detailed and potentially difficult conversation. Instead of saying "Let's thrash out what to have for lunch", opt for "Let's decide what to have for lunch".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "thrash out" is as a phrasal verb. It typically requires an object, indicating what is being discussed and resolved. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, and the examples show its use in various contexts to describe detailed discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

22%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thrash out" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe a thorough and intensive discussion aimed at resolving a complex issue. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English, and Ludwig examples show it commonly appears in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it's most effective when conveying a sense of intense deliberation. Consider alternatives like "hammer out" or "iron out" depending on the desired nuance. Avoid using it in trivial contexts where a simpler term like "discuss" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hammer out

Similar in meaning, but implies a more forceful effort to reach an agreement.

iron out

Suggests removing small difficulties to finalize an agreement.

reach a consensus

Emphasizes the agreement of all parties involved.

work out

A more general term for resolving a problem or plan.

straighten out

Implies correcting or clarifying something to resolve an issue.

come to terms

Highlights reaching an agreement after negotiation.

sort out

Implies organizing and clarifying details to resolve a problem.

settle

Suggests ending a dispute or reaching a final agreement.

resolve

A formal term for reaching a decision or solution.

figure out

Focuses on understanding and finding a solution.

FAQs

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

You can use "thrash out" to describe a detailed and often intense discussion aimed at resolving a complex issue. For example, "The negotiators met for days to "hammer out" the details of the agreement".

What's the difference between "thrash out" and "discuss"?

"Thrash out" implies a more intense and thorough discussion than simply "discussing". It suggests working through disagreements and difficulties to reach a resolution. You would "discuss" a topic, but you "thrash out" a solution.

What can I say instead of "thrash out"?

You can use alternatives like "hammer out", "work out", or "iron out" depending on the context and the level of intensity you want to convey.

Is "thrash out" appropriate for formal writing?

"Thrash out" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it's important to consider the specific audience and tone. In highly formal settings, alternatives like "resolve" or "reach a consensus" might be more appropriate.