# argue out

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/argue-out
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to talk about a problem or disagreement in detail until you find a solution or reach an agreement.

For teachers: to resolve a dispute or reach a conclusion through exhaustive discussion or debate.

## Examples

- They stayed up late to argue out their differences.
- The committee spent three hours trying to argue out the details of the new policy.
- Rather than making a hasty decision, the board members decided to argue out every possible implication of the merger before voting.

## Pitfalls

- Not "They argued out about the money." but "They argued out the money issues." — this phrasal verb is transitive and takes the topic of the argument as a direct object without 'about'.

## Usage notes

- often used with abstract nouns like 'differences', 'details', or 'points'.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'argue' (the act of fighting) by showing that 'argue out' implies a goal of reaching a resolution or 'emptying' the argument.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.