Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To remove (wrinkles or creases) from fabric by pressing with a heated iron: The literal meaning, referring to the domestic task of using an iron to make cloth smooth.
   • To resolve or settle (difficulties, disagreements, or problems): The primary figurative meaning, meaning to eliminate problems or disagreements through discussion and compromise, making a situation smooth and functional.

Usage Examples

• Literal Meaning:

  • Can you iron out the wrinkles in this tablecloth before the guests arrive?
  • She spent the morning ironing out her uniform.

• Figurative Meaning:

  • The two leaders met to iron out the final details of the trade agreement.
  • We had a few issues with the software, but the developers managed to iron them out before the launch.

Advanced Usage

• The phrasal verb is almost always used with an object (it is transitive). You must specify is being ironed out (e.g., problems, differences, kinks).
• It implies a process that requires effort, negotiation, or attention to detail to achieve a smooth result.
  • The committee will need several sessions to iron out all the conflicting opinions in the draft policy.

Variants and Related Words

• Iron (verb/noun): The tool or the action of pressing clothes.
  • I need to iron my shirt.
• Ironing (noun): The task or the pile of clothes to be pressed.
  • She did the ironing while watching TV.

Synonyms

• Resolve: To find a solution to a problem.
• Settle: To reach an agreement or decision about.
• Smooth over: To make problems or difficulties seem less serious, often temporarily.
• Sort out: To organize or resolve a confused or problematic situation.
• Work out: To solve a problem by thinking or talking about it.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Smooth out: Very similar in meaning, can be used both literally (smooth out the fabric) and figuratively (smooth out the difficulties).
  • Let's try to smooth out any misunderstandings before we proceed.
• Straighten out: To correct or resolve a confused or problematic situation.
  • We need to straighten out this billing error.

Related Idioms

• Get the wrinkles out: An informal idiom with a similar figurative meaning to "iron out."
  • We should run one more rehearsal to get the wrinkles out of the performance.
• Put to rights: To correct or fix something that is wrong.
  • The new manager was hired to put the department's finances to rights.

Verb

1. press and smooth with a heated iron
   • press your shirts
   • she stood there ironing
2. settle or put right
   • we need to iron out our disagreements