straighten out
The phrase "straighten out" is versatile and can refer to making something physically straight, resolving confusion, or correcting behavior.
Definition
B1General
(common)To make something straight or orderly.
Example
- She straightened out the bent wire.
B2Problem Solving
(common, idiomatic)To resolve or clarify a confusing or problematic situation.
Example
- We need to straighten out the issues with the project.
B2Behavior
(informal, idiomatic)To correct or improve someone's behavior or attitude.
Example
- His parents hoped that joining the sports team would straighten him out.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "straighten out":
straighten upsort outsquare awaysmooth outsort oneself outiron outclear upget rightfix upshape upflatten outlevel outeven outlengthen upstretch outtighten upput one's house in orderwalk a straight lineclean outcomb outto rightsfigure outclean upcome cleannut outclear outfirm uploosen upfluff outstraight lacesmarten upsquare offsuper straightcomb downstraight as an arrowsharpen upsquare upget bent out of shapesmooth over