# iron out

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/iron-out
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. to solve problems

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to find a solution to small problems or to finish the final details of a plan.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: This is a separable phrasal verb; the object can sit between 'iron' and 'out'.

### 2. to remove creases

phrasal verb · CEFR B1

to use a hot iron to make clothes smooth and flat.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to kill or beat up

phrasal verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Vulgar

to hurt someone badly in a fight or to kill them.

For teachers: 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.

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.

## Examples

- We need to iron out the final details of the contract.
- The two companies met yesterday to iron out their differences before signing the merger agreement.
- Although the software is functional, the developers still need to iron out several minor bugs before the official launch next month.

## Usage notes

- 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.

---

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.