What does 'sort out' mean?

Question

Accepted Answer

**What it means:** To resolve, fix, organise, or deal with something. One of the most versatile phrasal verbs in British English.

**Three main uses:**

**1. Resolve a problem:** "I'll sort out the billing issue." "We need to sort this out before it gets worse."

**2. Organise or arrange:** "I'll sort out the hotel bookings." "Has anyone sorted out the agenda?"

**3. Deal with a person (informal):** "I'll sort him out" — can mean "I'll deal with him", ranging from having a word with someone to something more confrontational. Context matters hugely here.

**Why British speakers love it:** "Sort out" does what "fix", "resolve", "organise", and "deal with" all do but in a way that sounds more active and concrete. "I'll sort it" is decisive.

**American equivalent:** "Figure out", "take care of", or "handle" cover similar ground.

**Tags:** phrasal verbs, British English, problem-solving, everyday English