Phrasal verb
iron out
Definitions
01to solve problems
phr.v. to find a solution to small problems or to finish the final details of a plan.
phr.v. to resolve minor difficulties, inconsistencies, or obstacles through discussion or adjustment.
“We need to iron out a few small details before we sign the contract.”
“The two legal teams met over the weekend to iron out the remaining discrepancies in the merger agreement before the final press release.”
Informal
Usage
This is a separable phrasal verb; the object can sit between 'iron' and 'out'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02to remove creases
phr.v. to use a hot iron to make clothes smooth and flat.
phr.v. to remove wrinkles or creases from fabric using a heated iron.
“Can you iron out the wrinkles in this shirt before the interview?”
“She spent the morning ironing out the creases in the linen tablecloths to ensure the dining room looked perfect for the gala.”
Usage
Often used with a direct object like 'creases', 'wrinkles', or a specific piece of clothing.
Antonyms
03to kill or beat up
phr.v. to hurt someone badly in a fight or to kill them.
phr.v. to overwhelm an opponent physically or to kill them.
“The gang threatened to iron him out if he talked to the police.”
“In the gritty detective novel, the protagonist narrowly avoids being ironed out by a group of hired enforcers in a dark alleyway.”
Slang · Vulgar
Teaching tip
This sense is very aggressive and rare in standard conversation; learners should avoid using it unless they are reading hard-boiled crime fiction.
Teaching tip
use the metaphor of removing wrinkles from clothing with a hot iron to help students visualize making a plan 'smooth' and ready for use.
Phrasal verb
Particles
out
Separability
optional
Pattern
iron + out + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/iron-out