iron out

Meaning

To solve small problems or differences so that something works well.

Examples

1. We still have a few details to iron out before the launch. US UK
2. The two sides ironed out their disagreement over the contract. US UK
3. Let’s iron out the problems in the schedule. US UK

How to use it

It is often used with details, problems, difficulties, and differences. It can be separated: iron out the details or iron the details out.

Common mistake

Not: We need to iron the problem.
Say: We need to iron out the problem. (Iron alone means to flatten clothes. Iron out means to solve.)